Daylength, temperature and fertilization effects on desiccation resistance, cold hardiness and root growth potential of Picea mariana seedlings

Abstract

Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. seedlings were hardened for overwintering under four regimes. In three regimes, seedlings were kept inside a heated greenhouse for 11 weeks during and after dormancy induction (August to mid-November), with either 1. Natural daylengths (46° 31′ N) and warm temperatures of 20°C or more (NDW), 2. As 1, but fertilized (NDWF) or 3. As 1, but with shortened daylengths (SD). In the fourth regime (OD), seedlings were hardened outside at naturally declining temperatures and daylengths without fertilizer. Seedlings hardened in any warm temperature treatment had buds with more needle primordia and shoots more resistant to desiccation than OD seedlings. Initially, cold hardiness tended to be greatest in SD seedlings. As hardening progressed OD seedlings became equally cold hardy to SD. In late November when all trees were outside, NDW seedlings were usually least cold hardy. Spring root growth potential was least in OD seedlings.