Canadian Forest Service Publications
The effect of microsite compaction on direct seeding success of jack pine and black spruce in northwestern Ontario.1988.van Damme, L.; Buse, L.; Warrington,S. Forestry Canada, Ontario Region. A report under the Canada-Ontario Forest Resource Development Agreement Project No. 33010. Project Report 5. 46p.
Year: 1988
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 34960
Language: English
Series: COFRDA Report (GLFC - Sault Ste. Marie)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
The effects of microsite soil compaction on direct seeding were tested in conjunction with Bracke scarification. The compaction effect was achieved by manually tamping the seed spot with a wooden pallet with either a flat surface or a surface with pyramidal indentations. it was anticipated that compaction might decrease the number of seeds required to establish seedlings and extend the sowina season for ]ack pine and black spruce in Northwestern Ontario ?°mpa^10" inc?eased the number' °f scalps stocked with jack pine bv 30% after the first growing season but had no effect on black spruce The experimental sowing rate of five seeds per scalp may have been insufficient to detect black spruce treatment responses on the drv mineral soil seed spots. No differences were found between pre-sowmg and post-sowing compaction treatments for jack pine However, compaction with a pyramidal surface improved stocking slightly oyer compaction with a flat surface, especially for the latest sowing date. Compaction with a pyramidal surface doubled the percent stocked scalps over conventional sowing for the latest sowina date. Compaction may allow an extension of the jack pine sowina season from late June into early July, still, early spring sowing provided the best overall results for both species. Mthough no si?2 location by compaction treatment interaction was detected, site strongly influenced emergence and survival. It was discovered that the site with moisture levels conducive to establishment for both species in the first growing season were subject to significant seedling mortality from frost heaving and drowning by the end of the second season. The study also showed that establishment of black spruce on upland sites,which may have had a significant black spruce component prior to harvesting,is problematic.