Effects of shading on growth and development of northern red oak, black oak, black cherry, and red maple seedlings. II. biomass partitioning and prediction

Abstract

Northern red oak, black oak, black cherry, and red maple seedlings were grown under light treatments ranging from 8 to 94% of full sunlight for 2 years. Growth was least at the lowest light level and total dry weight increased with increasing light. Total dry-weight rankings (largest to smallest) at all light levels were black cherry, northern red oak, black oak, and red maple. As light increased, allocation of biomass into leaves and stems decreased while branch biomass held constant except for black cherry, which increased. Allocation of biomass into roots increased significantly with increased light. Seedling biomass could be predicted with a reasonable degree of accuracy across light levels from D²H measurements taken late in the growing season. Data on biomass accumulation and root development suggest that increasing light to 20% or more will help advanced regeneration seedlings become well established, giving them the potential to grow rapidly after release.

Citation

Gottschalk, Kurt W. 1987. Effects of shading on growth and development of northern red oak, black oak, black cherry, and red maple seedlings. II. biomass partitioning and prediction. In: Hay, R.L.; Woods, F.W.; DeSelm, H.R., eds. Proceedings Central Hardwood Forest Conference IV; 1987 Feb. 24-26; Knoxville, TN. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee: 99-110.