Net effect of competing vegetation on selected environmental conditions and performance of four spruce seedling stock sizes after eight years in Québec (Canada)

Abstract

A study was established in 1993 to determine the response of four black spruce (Picea mariana) and white spruce (P. glauca) stock sizes on two sites located in Québec (Canada), each representing a different type of competing vegetation. At each site, a split-split-plot design with 15 to 17 replicates was used, in which the presence of competition (weedy and bare plots), seedling initial size, and spruce species were assigned respectively to the whole plot, the subplot, and the sub-subplot. Larger initial seedling size provided a greater competitive ability for light and had higher growth rates than the standard stock size for both species. Growth gains from combining plantation of large stock with vegetation control were multiplicative. Non-crop vegetation significantly lowered the seasonal profile of 10-cm depth soil temperature on both sites. This study shows that early release treatment is required on sites dominated by raspberry-hardwood competition complex and planting large spruce stock on such harsh competition sites will help reduce the need for repeated vegetation control.