Morphological indicators of the quality of five forest species produced in nurseries

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the morphological indicators in the nursery of five forest species(Pinus radiata, Alnus acuminata, Escallonia resinosa, Buddleja coriaceaand Polylepis incana), in the forest nursery of the E.E.A. “Santa Ana”. The seedlings were produced for seven months in a nursery following the protocols established in the forest nursery of the E.E.A. “Santa Ana”, the morphological variables and quality indices of the seedlings were analyzed using a single-factor design. The results presented a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) among all the variables evaluated. In addition,Buddleja coriaceapresented a greater development in height, leaf volume and leaf dry weight compared to the other forest species, while pine presented a lower development in height and diameter. The best values of the Dickson index, root container index and the robustness index, were presented in quinual and pine. Considering that the quality index predicts with greater accuracy the success of the plantation in the field.