The Seed Source-Environment Interaction: A Factor in Nursery Management

Abstract

The physiological condition of planting stock is an important criterion in plantation establishment and is related to seed origin, nursery or greenhouse environment, and conditions of storage and shipment. For the benefit of silvicultural planners and nurserymen, the genetic effects of seed origin are reviewed. Generally, seed sources from low latitudes and altitudes respond more slowly to warming temperatures in spring and declining length of day in autumn than sources from high latitudes and altitudes. If several sources are grown in the same nursery, there may be variation in phenology of root and shoot growth depending upon the distance of displacement from the place of seed origin to the nursery site. Such variation must be taken into account when plants are lifted, transplanted, fertilized and shipped, to apply treatments with maximum effect and attain a high percentage of field survival and rate of growth. Similarly, the temperature and day length requirements of different seed sources must be considered when designing optimum environments for container production. Displacement effects are not necessarily disadvantageous and have been beneficial in some cases, for example, when southern provenances were grown in northern nurseries with long days and mild fall climates. These effects should also be considered in the location of new nurseries.