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Comparison of sludge and fertilizer applications on establishment and growth of seedlings of two sweetgum ecotypes endomycorrhizal with Glomus mosseae and Glomus etunicatus. Progress report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6440140

A 3 part study was conducted. Part 1 investigated the effects of sludge or fertilizer applications on the development of sweetgum progeny from two mother trees. Significant differences were found between the genetically different half-sib progeny. Non fertilized control seedlings had significantly better survival rates than treated trees. This can be directly correlated to competition between trees and grass. In a second study the grass was controlled, and only fertilizer and endomycorrhizal symbionts were used. Trees in this study are significantly taller than the previous study which demonstrates the importance of grass control. At the time of planting, nonmycorrhizal trees were 15% taller than mycorrhizal trees. Nonmycorrhizal trees received 800 ppM P while mycorrhizal trees received 30 ppM P. Most significant is that all trees were mycorrhizal at the end of the second year. A third outplanting experiment was installed to compare root collar diameters of progeny from two genotypic lines of sweetgum. Data suggest that root collar diameters of nonmycorrhizal seedlings grown under low soil phosphorus regimes are a good indicator of future vigor.

Research Organization:
Forest Service, Athens, GA (USA). Inst. for Mycorrhizal Research and Development
DOE Contract Number:
AI09-76SR00870
OSTI ID:
6440140
Report Number(s):
SRO-870-26; ON: TI85002227
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English