Control of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) by steam treatment: Effects on establishment and early growth of Scots pine

Citation
G. Norberg et al., Control of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) by steam treatment: Effects on establishment and early growth of Scots pine, NEW FOREST, 21(2), 2001, pp. 187-198
Citations number
45
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
NEW FORESTS
ISSN journal
01694286 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
187 - 198
Database
ISI
SICI code
0169-4286(2001)21:2<187:COH(V(>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Following boreal forest ecosystem disturbance, such as fire and clear-cutti ng, the ericaceous species Calluna vulgaris often becomes completely domina nt and may convert forestland into heathland. Calluna is known to effective ly exclude other vegetation and causes ``growth check'' or stagnation of co nifer seedlings to result in poor tree regeneration. In this study we inves tigated the use of steam treatment as an alternative method for vegetation control of Calluna vulgaris. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) establishment and growth were recorded in both a planting and a seeding experiment. Stea m treatment was compared with mechanical soil scarification and intact vege tation in the planting experiment and with intact vegetation in the seeding experiment. The results show that the vegetation is still strongly reduced five years after the treatment. The steam treatment strongly favoured the establishment and growth of both seeded and planted Scots pine. The planted seedlings grown in the steam treated plots had a dry weight more than twic e as high when compared to scarified plots. Seedling height and basal diame ter were also highest for seedlings grown in steamed plots. Seedlings plant ed in scarified plots did not grow as well during the first years possibly due to injuries caused by frost heaving. The seeding experiment showed an i ncreased establishment and growth of Scots pine seedlings in steam treated plots compared to in intact vegetation.