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Abstract
Continuing to fertilize bareroot and container seedlings during the hardening process (from cessation of height growth until lifting) can improve seedling viability. The process of fertilizing during hardening has many names, but in the last decade a new term, nutrient loading, has come into use. The process of nutrient loading seedlings leads to luxury consumption indicated by foliar nitrogen (N) concentrations > 2.5%. Increasing foliar nutrient concentrations during hardening can result in increased cold hardiness, seedlings with thicker stems, heavier root systems, better root-toshoot ratios, higher foliar N concentrations and contents, and the potential for better survival and growth on the outplanting site.
Keywords
Loblolly pine,
Pinus taeda,
slash pine,
Pinus elliottii,
longleaf pine,
Pinus palustris,
irrigation,
crop scheduling,
bareroot,
container seedlings,
water management,
hardening
Citation
Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2003. Hardening fertilization and nutrient loading of conifer seedlings. In: Riley L.E., Dumroese R.K., Landis T.D., technical coordinators. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations—2002. Ogden, UT: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Proceedings RMRS-P-28: 31–36. Available at: http://www.fcnanet.org/proceedings/2002/dumroese.pdf
