Abstract

BERNAOLA-PAUCAR, Rosario Marilú et al. Effect of container volume on quality and survival of Pinus hartwegii Lindl. using a two-step transplant system. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.28, pp.174-187. ISSN 2007-1132.

The success of reforestation is determined by the production system, the forest plant quality, management and of the environmental conditions. The production forest planting container nursery is the mostly used method. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the volume container in the plant quality of Pinus hartwegii and to determine survival rate in the field. The plants were grown in container of 0.165 L during 12 months and then were moved at the reforestation site for their acclimatization. 350 plants were grown in the same container (T0), 350 plants were transplanted in container of 1L (T1) and 350 plants in container of 5L (T2). The plants were kept in this condition for 8 months. Growth variables, quality index and survival rate were evaluated. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among treatments for all variables. The plants of T2 exhibited the best height of plant (cm), stem diameter (mm), aerial biomass (cm³), aerial biomass (g), root volume (cm³), and the best quality index nursery and the highest survival rate (96 %) was also presented. The Dickson index (IQ) did not show statistical difference between treatments 1 and 2. On the contrary, the root container index (ICR) did show differences between treatments and so it is proposed in this study as an indicator to evaluate plant quality and the survival rate in the field.

Keywords : Quality of plant; container; Dickson Index; Pinus hartwegii Lindl.; reforestation; forest nursery.