Soil compaction and organic matter affect conifer seedling nonmycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal root tip abundance and diversity.

Michael P. Amaranthus; Debbie Page-Dumroese; Al Harvey; Efren Cazares; Larry F. Bednar

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-494

Treesearch

Soil compaction and organic matter affect conifer seedling nonmycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal root tip abundance and diversity.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Michael P. Amaranthus, Debbie Page-Dumroese, Al Harvey, Efren Cazares, Larry F. Bednar

Year:

1996

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-494

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-494. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 12 p

Download (PDF 958 KB)

Download (PDF 958 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/26874.pdf

Abstract

Three levels of organic matter removal (bole only; bole and crowns; and bole, crowns, and forest floor) and three levels of mechanical soil compaction (no compaction, moderate compaction, and severe soil compaction) were studied as they influence Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) and western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don) seedlings following outplanting. Moderate and severe soil compaction significantly reduced nonmycorrhizal root tip abundance on both Douglas-fir and western white pine seedlings (p ≤ 0.05). Ectomycorrhizal root tip abundance was significantly reduced on Douglas-fir seedlings in severely compacted areas with bole and crowns and bole, crowns, and forest floor removed. Ectomycorrhizal diversity also was significantly reduced on Douglas-fir seedlings in all severely compacted areas.

Keywords

Douglas-fir, ectomycorrhizae, forest harvest, organic matter, reforestation, root tips, soil compaction, bulk density, western white pine

Citation

Amaranthus, Michael P.; Page-Dumroese, Debbie; Harvey, Al; Cazares, Efren; Bednar, Larry F. 1996. Soil compaction and organic matter affect conifer seedling nonmycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal root tip abundance and diversity. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-494. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 12 p