Scots pine growth and development created by planting material with root-balled and bareroot systems in various forestgrowing conditions of Tatarstan Republic

Abstract

The results of studies concerning the growth and development of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest plantations created by using seedlings with a root-balled system (RBS) and their comparison with forest plantations created by using ordinary seedlings with an bareroot system (BRS) in various forest-growing conditions in the Republic of Tatarstan are presented. Measurements of biometric parameters of plants were carried out in an amount that ensures the accuracy of average statistical indicators within 5 %. For each plant, the height, the annual growth of the axial shoot in height, the diameter at the root neck, the length of the main and lateral roots were measured. Research materials have established that forest plantations of Scots pine, created on lighter soils in forest conditions B1–3, are significantly behind in development from forest plantations created on soils richer in agrochemical characteristics C1–3. The creation of forest plantations on such soils requires the use of fertilizers and other measures of agrotechnical care for plantings. When creating forest crops with seedlings with BRS in forest conditions D2–3, on soils with a heavy granulometric composition (ordinary and leached chernozems), a significant decrease in the growth rate of seedlings was revealed. The use of planting material grown under the conditions of a closed root system (BRS) for the creation of forest plantations of Scots pine in the conditions of the Republic of Tatarstan requires further scientific justification. The results of using planting material with a root-balled system are ambiguous and require an appropriate pilot test.