Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience are nursery owners, managers and growers that are associated with and members ofthe Southern Forest Nursery Managment Cooperative involved in the seedling production business in the 11 southern USstates. These nurseries would include State, Private and Industrial forset-seedling organizationsinvolved in reforestation programs. Membership includes companies like ArborGen, Weyerheauser aswell as state-owned nurseries, North Carolinia Forest Service. In addition, many non-members of theSFNMC participate in the Southern Forest Nursery Association's workshop where information on pestcontrol measures are shared. Customers, landowners, REITS and TIMO's are also the audience as theyare the final destination of seedlings grown by these members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One Assistant Research Professor, two Research Associate, one undergraduate student and oneOutreach Corrdinator involved in the planning, organization, implementation and completion of the 2020 fieldseasons. This includes all aspects of data collection, processing and analysis to report to thenursery members. Research reports were prepared and disseminated as well as timely newsletters andManagement Alerts to southern Forest Nursery Managers from Virginia to Texas. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2020Nursery Cooperative Contact meeting was held on July 26, 2020 via Zoom to 32 membersNurseryCooperative members with Nursery Cooperative staff presented information to the entire group onsoil fumigant usage rates over time, weed control, new technologies and mobile apps and a rapidpitch canker identification tool that is ready for members to participate. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 & Objective 2. The second year seedling production was measured in a new soil fumigantstudy established in the spring of 2019 in Magnolia, Arkansas. Treatments included the standard MBr and Chloripicirn withsulfuryl flouride a, structural fumigant that may be effacacious in soil fumigation systems as an alternative toMBr/Chloropicrin mixtures as well asdimethyl disulfide combinations. All soil fumigants increased Trichoderma levels (> 150 cfu pergram soil) when compare topre-treatment levels, except for the control which remained low (< 10 cfu per gram soil). Two-growing season soil data ndicates that there are no long-term suppression of this fungus over time. Nematode levels ranged from 5-30 per 100 cc soil prior to soil fumigantsand were undectable 3-mos post soil fumigant treatment, but returned to pre-fumigant levels by the begining of the second growing season in April 2020. Levels were not high enough to produce seeldings symptomatic of nematode damage.Final seedling densities and seedling characteristics collected at endof growing season (December 2019) indicated that all treatments were similar to the MBr control. Control plots (no soil fumigatns) were significantly smaller and fewer (seedlings per sq/ft). Objective 3. Examination of post-emergence herbicides for weed control in conifer seedbeds testedfour installations in loblolly pine and one in slash pine, utilizing a total of 1,600feet ofnursery bed space. Results from previous post-emergent herbicide studies show that bareroot loblolly and slash pine have exhibited tolerance to 8 of the 17 post-emergent herbicides tested since 2016. Of these 8 products, 3 were selected for retesting in 2020. These are Shieldex® (tolpyralate), Strada® (orthosulfamuron), and Tenacity® (mesotrione). Spray applications of the lowest rate of each were made at 5 SFNMC member nurseries between June 29 and July 10, 2020 to standardize applications at 9 weeks post-sowing. Inspections in September at each nursery show no visible signs of herbicidal damage. Seedling collections and measurements will begin in late November 2020 with a research report summarizing results in early 2021. In another weed control trial in bareroot and container nurseries, the use of RonstarFlo®(oxadiazon) After 3 years of trials, the application of 40 ounces per acre of Ronstar®Flo (oxadiazon) on newly-sown containerized seedling trays was shown to be effective in controlling black willow germination and establishment in those pine species sown early in the growing season. Containerized nursery managers should consider the treatment of each species with Ronstar®Flo (oxadiazon) as a separate operation. Each of the four species tested had slightly varied tolerance levels to the herbicide. As with any new herbicide used in nurseries, a small test area in each species should be utilized prior to larger-scale operational use. In five installations over 3 years, the same applications (40 ounce per acre rate) showed that the tolerance of longleaf pine to the herbicide was shown to be good in most seedling characteristics with no differences between plug weights of treated and non-treated seedlings. Of the seedling characteristics negatively affected, shoot weights (2 of 5) were lower (less than 0.5 grams), shoot height (1 of 5) was shorter (by 1 centimeter), and survival (1 of 5) was less (by a percentage representing 6 seedlings per tray). olerance of loblolly pine to 40 ounces per acre of Ronstar®Flo (oxadiazon) in 7 installations over 3 years was measured with mixed results. Most importantly to container seedling quality, seedlings in 3 of the 7 installations had lower plug weights in treated than non-treated seedlings (ranging from 0.22 grams to 0.56 grams less). Lower survival (1.8%, 7.8%), shoot height (0.7 to 1.3 centimeters), and lower shoot weights (0.08 grams) were also measured when comparing treated to non-treated seedlings. Slash pine was studied in 2 installations in 2 years. No negative effects of the 40 ounce per acre rate of Ronstar®Flo application were quantified in either of the 2 slash pine sites, with the exception of lower plug weights of treated seedlings in 1 of the 2 installations (0.18 grams less). 8 Shortleaf pine was also limited to 2 installations in 2 years. The only negative effect of the herbicide was measured in lower shoot height of treated seedlings in 1 of the 2 installations (1.6 centimeters shorter). All other seedling characteristics measured were unaffected by the use of the herbicide.A supplemental labelwill not be required for Ronstar®Flo as this compound is currently labeled for use in conifernurseries. Recommendation is that nurseries could begin testing this material on a small-scaleunder their operating conditions to determine best methods of application to control weeds. Chilling hours is known as being beneficial to pine seedlings as increasing chilling hours increases seedlings' freeze tolerance. The successful storage of seedlings, however, is not related to the number of chilling hours. To ascertain the relation of chilling hours on seedling storability, seedling growth and seedling survival after outplanting, this three-year study was conducted to partly address this issue.The relationship between seedling RGP and time stored in cooler differed between years.In 2017, there was a decrease in RGP with an increase in storage time. This was different to the RGP for the 2018 season that remained relatively constant for the storage periods, however, the 2019 season revealed an increase in RGP with that of storage time. Seedling survival showed a decreasing trend with an increase in storage time in a cooler for growing season 2017 and 2018. For 2019, there was good survival across all storage periods. For seedlings that had been stored in the cooler for 0, 2, and 4 weeks respectively, before being outplanted, had a decrease in survival for increasing lifting times from Time0 to Time5 for all years. There was also a decreasing trend in survival with that of lifting time for of all seedling stored in a cooler prior to being outplanted. These studies show that chilling hours are not required for successful storage of seedlings with the success of seedling storage being species and genotype dependent. Improved survival once outplanted was partly related to the level of seedling bud dormancy impacting root growth. The growth and survival of seedlings once outplanted is, however, strongly affected by planting conditions. For this reason root growth at planting is essential and thus the need to plant early in the planting season when root growth can be maximized due to bud dormancy. Lifting and planting seedlings early improves both the growth and survival compared to seedlings that had been lifted later in the lifting season.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Nadel, R., Payne, N., Stokes, T. and Enebak, S. 2020 Lifting Dates, Chilling Hours and Storage Duration on Root Growth Potential (RGP) Growth and Survival. Research Report 2020-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Payne, N. Nadel, R., and Enebak,S. 2020. Application of RonstarFlo (oxadiazon) for willow control in containerized growing systems: A summary of three years of trials. Research Report 2020-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R., and Enebak, S. 2020. Post-emergent herbicide screenings on bareroot pine seedbeds: A summary of multiple trials 2016-2019. Research Report 2020-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Nadel, R. and Enebak, S. 2020. Results from the 2019 Fusiform Rust Greenhouse Trail; Testing the efficacy of two new synthetic fungicides. Research Report 2020-04. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Enebak, S. 2020. Forest tree seedling production in the southern United States for the 2019-2020 planting season. Technical Note 2020-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative. School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
|
Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience are nursery owners, managers and growers that are associated with and members of the Southern Forest Nursery Managment Cooperative involved in the seedling production business in the 11 southern US states. These nurseries would include State, Private and Industrial forest-seedling organizations involved in reforestation programs. Membership includes companies like ArborGen, Weyerheauser as well as state-owned nurseries, North Carolinia Forest Service. In addition, many non-members of the SFNMC participate in the Southern Forest Nursery Association's workshop where information on pest control measures are shared. Customers, landowners, REITS and TIMO's are also the audience as they are the final destination of seedlings grown by these members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Along with the Director, one Assistant Research Professor, two Research Associate, one undergraduate student and one Outreach Corrdinator were involved in the planning, organization, implementation and completion of the 2019 and 2020 field seasons. This includes all aspects of data collection, processing and analysis to report to the nursery members. Research reports were prepared and disseminated as well as timely newsletters and Management Alerts to southern Forest Nursery Managers from Virginia to Texas. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2019 Nursery Cooperative Contact meeting was held on July14-19, 2019 in Magnolia, Arkansas with Weyerhaeuser's Nursery serving as the host and conducting the nursery tour. The meeting was attended by 38 Nursery Cooperative members with Nursery Cooperative staff presented information to the entire group on soil fumigant usage rates over time, weed control, new technologies and mobile apps and a rapid pitch canker identification tool that is ready for members to participate. In addition, a Nursery Management short course was held in Auburn, Alabama (Sept 10-13, 2019). The 3-day event included 18 attendees from 10 states and 7 nursery members. Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits = 10 hrs in Categories 1 and 2, as well as Pesticide Points = 32-42 credits in 3-5 categories, were earned for those in attendance. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to address seedling pests in the production of forest-tree nurseries in bareroot and container nurseries in the southern US.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 & Objective 2. The first year seedling production was measured in a new soil fumigant study established in the spring of 2019 in Magnolia, Arkansas. Treatments included the standard MBr and Chloripicirn with sulfuryl flouride a structural fumigant that may be effacacious in soil fumigation systems as an alternative to MBr/Chloropicrin mixtures as well as dimethyl disulfide combinations. All soil fumigants increased Trichoderma levels (> 150 cfu per gram soil) when compared to pre-treatment levels, except for the control which remained low (< 10 cfu per gram soil). Nematode levels ranged from 5-30 per 100 cc soil prior to soil fumigants and were undectable 3-mos post soil fumigant treatment. Both trichoderma and nematodes will be monitored for the next two seedling crops to determine treatment control over time. Final seedling densities and seedling characteristics will be collected at end of growing season (December 2019) to determine economic viability of soil fumigants based on seedling quality. Objective 3. Examination of post-emergence herbicides for weed control in conifer seedbeds tested four installations in loblolly pine and one in slash pine, utilizing a total of 2,240 feet of nursery bed space. Ten herbicides are being tested, with 8 being retested from 2018 and 2 new herbicides added. Visual inspections in August and September 2019 show that at least 2 of the new herbicides caused injury to pines in nursery beds. Field collections and laboratory measurements will be made in January 2020. For 2 of the herbicides, 2019 is the fourth year of testing; if 2019 results are positive (no seedling injury), we will pursue labeling with the manufacturers for use in forest-tree nurseries. In another weed control trial in bareroot and container nurseries, the use of RonstarFlo® (oxadiazon) was installed in March, April, and May 2019 in two member container nurseries. A total of 4 installations were made in loblolly pine, 2 in longleaf pine, and 1 each in shortleaf and slash pine. Sample sizes (number of trays included) were increased over 2018 studies to obtain more information on the herbicidal effect on container pine growth. Examination of treated containers showed no negative effect on loblolly pine seedling characteristics, yet providing between between 85-100% willow control and 80-100% control of other weeds in treated trays. A supplemental label will not be required for Ronstar®Flo as this compound is currently labeled for use in conifer nurseries. Recommendation is that nurseries could begin testing this material on a small-scale efforts under their operating conditions to determine best methods of application to control weeds. With respect to fusiform rust control, two fungicides were tested again in 2019, (Azoxystrobin + Benzovindiflupyr), with standard Proline and water checks to determine the efficacy of the new chemistries to control fusiform rust. Six weeks post sowing, seedlings were treated and sent to the USFS Rust Testing Laboratory where they were challenged with 30,000 basidiospores of Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme. The final amount of infection based on main stem gall formation indicated that these two new chemistries were not effective in controlling the fungus and will not be tested further. Field trials, however, of Compass and Stratego, resulted in less than 0.1 % main-stem infection which was similar to the bayleton and prothioconazol check and significantly less than the non-treated control at 50% main-stem infection. With two years of postive greenhouse trials, and 1 year of field trials in 2019. we will again field-test these compounds as part of the data-collection for registration. In addition to these compoounds, the biological fungicide (a.i. Bacillus subtilis GB03) was tested as a fusiform rust control treatment. Bacillus subtilis GB03applied at both the recommended and double the recommended rate did not reduce the galling incidence to resistant family levels. Although producing fewer galls than the untreated controls, infection levels were too high to be considered as a possible treatment against fusiform rust. These compounds will not be further tested.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Haase, D.L., Pike, C., Enebak, S.A., Mackey, L., Ma, Z. and Rathjen, M. 2019. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States; Fiscal Year 2018. Tree Planters Notes 61:20-24.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Devkota, P., Enebak, S.A., and Eckhardt, L.G. 2019. A Performance Comparison of Bareroot and Containerized Pinus taeda L. Seedlings as Affected by Ophiostomatoid Fungi. Joint Annual Meeting of the Southern Forest Nursery Association and the Northeast Forest and Conservation Nursery Association. Pensacola, FL, July 17-19, 2018. Tree Planters Notes. 62:52-57.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Copper Trials on Loblolly Pine Seedbeds. Research Report 19-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Micronutrient use on Loblolly Pine Seedbeds. Research Report 19-03. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Postemergence Herbicide Screening Trials on Loblolly and Slash Pine Seedbeds II. Research Report 19-04. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Ronstar�Flo (oxadiazon) on Loblolly and Longleaf Pine in a Container-grown Nursery. Research Report 19-05. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Payne, N., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Soil Stabilizers on Loblolly Pine Seedbeds. Research Report 19-06. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Harges, W., Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Essential Plus 1-0-1 Greenhouse Trials. Research Report 19-07. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Nadel, R. and Enebak, S.A. 2019. Seedling Survival is Impacted by Practices in Outplanting. Technical Note 19-01. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Enebak, S.A. Forest-Tree Seedling Production in the Southern United States for the 2017-2018 Planting Season. Technical Note 19-02. Auburn University Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University.
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience are nursery owners, managers and growers that are associated with and members of the Southern Forest Nursery Managment Cooperative involved in the seedling production business in the 11 southern US states. These nurseries would include State, Private and Industrial forset-seedling organizations involved in reforestation programs. Membership includes companies like ArborGen, Weyerheauser as well as state-owned nurseries, North Carolinia Forest Service. In addition, many non-members of the SFNMC participate in the Southern Forest Nursery Association's workshop where information on pest control measures are shared. Customers, landowners, REITS and TIMO's are also the audience as they are the final destination of seedlings grown by these members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One Assistant Research Professor, two Research Associate and one Outreach Corrdinatorinvolved in the planning,organization, implementation and completion of the 2018 and 2019field season. This includes all aspects of data collection, processing and analysis to report to the nursery members. Research reports were prepared and disseminated as well as timely newsletters and Management Alerts to southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative members. This was in addition to oral and visual presentations at local, regional and nationalmeetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2018Nursery Cooperative Contact meeting was held on July16-19, 2018in Pensacola, Florida with Rayonier's Nursery in Elberta Alabama and PRT's Nursery in Atmore, Alabama serving as the host and conducting the nursery tour. The meeting was attended by 38 NurseryCooperative members adn 89 Southern Forest Nursery Association members. Nursery Cooperative staff presented information to the entire group on soil fumigant usage rates over time, weed control, new technologies and mobile apps and a rapid pitch canker identification tool that is ready for members to participate. In addition, guest speakers included Carrie Pike of the USDA Forest service on on hardwood seedling production, Arbara Crane, US Forest Service who updated the attendees on the status shortleaf and longleaf pine seed orchards, and MIchelle Cram, USDA Forest Serivice on the long-term affects of mycorhizae on seedling growth and survival. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to address seedling pests in the production of forest-tree nurseries in bareroot and container nurseries in the southern US.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1 & Objective 2. The second year seedling production was measured in the study established in the fall of2016 with pre- and post- Trichoderma and nematode levels were measured in 2017 and 2018. Trichoderma levels returned to pre-fumigation numbers in all soil fumigants used 2 years post fumigation. There were no long-term suppression of this fungus over time. Post-fumigation levels of plant parastic nematodes continued to remain significantly lower than pre-fumigation levels, 2+ years after treatment. Thus, all soil fumigants were efficacious in nematode control over the duration of the cropping period. However, like the 2017 weed control data, weed counts per treatment in the Propylene Oxide treatments were too high and impacted seedlingproduction and quality. Therefore, this compund is not efficacious and will be phased out of further research trials. Final seedling characteristics were collected inOctober 2018 and indicate that seedling numbers were similar across treatments, except for Ally 33, which was significantly better at producing seedlings than Vapam. Objective 3.In response to concerns from nurseries about late summer weed problems, a follow-up study using the highest allowable labelled rate of PAC was installedto determineseedling tolerance (herbicide gall formation) and longer-term (6 to 8 months) weed control. Six-months after sowingno significant differences in bareroot seedling characteristics were measured when comparing seedlings with no PAC applications to those receiving the highest labelled rate of PAC at sowing. However, the variation and inconsistency in container seedling characteristics in previoustrials confirmed results that the effect of PAC on pine seedlings grown in organic media is uncertain. Athird-year study applying Marengo over-the-top of eastern red cedar seedlings was installedto confirm postive growth response observed on eastern red cedar in 2015. Like the 2015 results, seedlings treated with Marengo were significantly larger and increased seed germination over non-treated plots. There is nowsufficient information fornurseriesto use it operationally in 2019 if their planting schedule allows it. No further testing is planned. In addition, to the PAC trials, eleven postemergent herbicides, selected for broadleaf weed, grass or sedge control, were applied in a replicated study at 8 weeks post-sowing over the top of bareroot loblolly pine in two nurseries and bareroot slash pine in one nursery. Five of the herbicides used were included in 2017 trials with no negative effects on seedling characteristics when applied at least 8 weeks after sowing. Field observations over the summer show that at least two of the new herbicides have negative effects on seedling growth and development. These two compounds will be removed from further trials, while the other 9 active ingredients will be tested in 2019 on different soil types. If seedlings tolerate these herbicides in different soil types, we will work with registrants to request that "forest seedling nurseries" be added to the label for oprational use. In yet another weed control trial in bareroot and container nurseries, the use ofRonstarFlo® (oxadiazon)showed no negative effect on loblolly pine seedling characteristics. while providing between 85% -100% willow control and 80% - 100% control of other weeds in treated trays. With respect to fusiform rust control,two fungicides were tested again in 2018 , Compass and Stratego, resulted in less than 0.5 % main-stem infection which was similar to the bayleton and prothioconazol check and significantly less than the non-treated control at 50% main-stem infection. With two years of postive greenhouse trials, these fungicides will be brought to field trials in 2019 to begin the process of data-collection for registration.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
South, D. B., Nadel, R. L., Enebak, S. A. and Bickerstaff, G. 2018. The nutrition of loblolly pine seedlings exhibits both positive (soil) and negative (foliage) correlation with seedling mass. Tree Planters Notes 62:5-17.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Hernandez, G., Haase, D.L., Pike, C., Enebak, S.A., Mackey, L., Ma, Z. and Clarke, M. 2018. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States; Fiscal Year 2017. Tree Planters Notes 61:20-24
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience are nursery owners, managers and growers that are associated with and members of the Southern Forest Nursery Managment Cooperative involved in the seedling production business in the 11 southern US states. These nurseries would include State, Private and Industrial forset-seedling organizations involved in reforestation programs. Membership includes companies like ArborGen, Weyerheauser as well as state-owned nurseries, North Carolinia Forest Service. In addition, many non-members of the SFNMC participate in the Southern Forest Nursery Association's workshop where information on pest control measures are shared. Customers, landowners, REITS and TIMO's are also the audience as they are the final destination of seedlings grown by these members. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One Assistant Researd Professor, one Research Associate, and one Research Assistant were involved in the planning, organization, implementation and completion of the 2017 field season. This includes all aspects of data collection, processing and analysis to report to the nursery members. Research reports were prepared and disseminated as well as timely newsletters and Management Alerts. This was in addition to oral and visual presentations at local, regional and national meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2017 Nursery Cooperative Contact meeting was held on July10-13, 2017 in Myrtle Beach with ArborGen's SuperTree Nursery in Blenheim, SC serving as the host and conducting the nursery tour. The meeting was attended by 38 Nursery Cooperative members. Nursery Cooperative staff presented information to the entire group on soil fumigant usage rates over time, weed control, new technologies and mobile apps and a rapid pitch canker identification tool that is ready for members to participate. In addition, guest speakers included Tim McDonald, Biosystems Engineering from Auburn discussing the possibility of seedling inventory and camera systems, Lisa Samuelson from SFWS reporting on seedling physiology and Barbara Crane, US Forest Service on the status shortleaf and longleaf pine seed orchards. The field trip at this meeting included a tour of the Blenheim Nursery and SFNMC herbicide trials. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: A replicated Methyl Bromide substitution trial was established at the Rayonier Elberta Nursery, AL. The data collected included seedling quality, nematodes, weeds and Trichoderma levels prior to and post fumigation. Data will be collected for two growing seasons and treatment plots will be part of the 2018 Southern Forest Nursery Association's annual meeting to be hosted by Rayonier. Products tested includef Etheyelenedinitril, Dominus, Vapam, Ally 33 and propylene oxide. First year pest control levels indicate that soil fumigants Ally 33, Dominus, Etheyelendinitril and Vapam significantly reduced levels of Trichoderma. Whereas MBR and Propylene oxide were less harsh to this desired soilborne fungus. All soil fumigants significantly reduced nematode populations. With respect to weed control, Propylene oxide was particularlly non-effective with weed control. While all soil fumigants had minimial weed coverage throughout the growing season, propylene oxide had serious and significant weed issues. Efforts to reduce the amount of Proline® as a seed treatment prior to sowing for the control of fusiform fust continue in conjunction with the US Forest Service Rust Testing Laboratory in Asheville, NC. Current label rates for Proline® as a seed treatment are 10-100 x more ai per unit of treated seed than other crops. A third year of data indicates that reducing the rate of Proline as a seed treatment increases the infection rate to the control, non-treated seed. Therefore, current label rates should be continued to be used to minimize disease in the nursery. Along with rate reduction of Proline, is the continued examination of new rust-control chemistries. To that end, two new fungicides were tested / compared to the current standard of Bayleton for fusiform rust control. Two compounds, Compass and Stratego, resulted in less than 0.5 % main-stem infection which was similar to the bayleton check and significantly less than the non-treated control at 50% main-stem infection. Trials to repeat these greenhouse trials and field tests are planned for next year using these new chemistries. Objective 3: Pendulum®AquaCap™ was applied over containerized pine to gain additional seedling tolerance and targeted weed control information, applications were made weekly during the sowing period to coincide with willow seed dispersal in March and April 2017 in loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash pine at one container nursery. In addition to the two rates of PAC used in 2015 and 2016 studies, an additional higher rate (highest labelled rate) was added to determine seedling tolerance and its effectiveness in providing longer-term (6 to 8 months) weed control. Field counts of seedlings and weeds and collection of sample seedlings indicate that weeds and willow trees were significantly reduced over non-treated seedligns with no detrimental seedling quality. In other trials 'New' herbicides screening study examined 9 pre- and post-emergent herbicides for the control of sedges, grasses, and broadleaf weeds at member nurseries of various soil types to target specific weed problems. These herbicides have not yet been tested but are used in either turf or agricultural settings. Pine seedling tolerance and herbicidal effectiveness was measured on broadleaf weed, grass or sedge control, at 9 weeks post-sowing over the top of loblolly pine in four nurseries and slash pine in one nursery. Four of the herbicides used had no negative effects on seedling characteristics when applied after sowing. However, observations over the summer show that at least two of the new herbicides have negative effects on seedling growth and development in all nurseries tested on all species tested. These two herbicides will be removed from the testing cycle. However, the remaining 3 herbicides had conflicting seedling responses at different nurseries and will need to be examined again.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Starkey T. and Enebak S. (2016). Seedling Quality and Root Architecture of Loblolly and Longleaf pine container seedlings. Management Cooperative. Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative Advisory Meeting. Auburn, AL.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Devkota P., Enebak S., & Eckhardt L.G. Virulence of Ophiostomatoid Fungi to Loblolly Pine under Varying Soil Moisture Levels. Alabama Natural Resources Council, Outreach Symposium and Landowner
Workshop. Tuscaloosa, AL
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
George Hern�ndez, Diane L. Haase, Carolyn Pike, Scott Enebak, Lori Mackey, Zhao Ma, and Mysha Clarke. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United StatesFiscal Year 2016. Tree Planters' Notes 60:24-28.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
South D.B., Nadel R.L., Enebak S.A. and Bickerstaff G. The nutrition of loblolly pine seedlings exhibits both positive (soil) and negative (foliage) correlations with seedling mass. Tree Planters Notes
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
South D.B., Nadel R.L., Enebak S.A. and Bickerstaff G. Effect of sulfur and lime on soil pH and nutrients in a sandy Pinus taeda nursery. New Forests XXX
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
? Zhao X., Hui B., Hu L., Cheng Q., Via B.K., Nadel R., Starkey T. and Enebak S. (2017) Potential of near infrared spectroscopy to monitor variations insoluble sugars in Loblolly pine seedlings after cold acclimation. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 232 (2017), pg. 536 542 DOI 10.1016/j.agrformet.2016.10.0120168-1923/
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Devkota P., Nadel R.L. and Eckhardt L.G. Intra-species variation of mature Pinus taeda L. in response to root-infecting Ophiostomatoid fungi. Forest Pathology
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences are nursery owners, managers and assistants that are associated with the forest-seedling production business in the southern United States. These nurseries would include, State, Private and Industrial forest-seedling companies in the 11 southern US states that run from Virginia to Texas, along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast region. Membership, includes companies like ArborGen, Weyerhaeuser, etc as well as state-owned nurseries; e,g. Georgia Forestry Commission. In addition, the non-industrial private landowners, REITS and TIMO's that purchase seedlings from these seedling producersare interested in seedling survival and growth for successful reforestation programs. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One Research Associate, one Research Fellow and one Post-Doctoral Fellow were involved in the identification and planning and implimentation of the 2016 growing season. This included the collection of the data, the processing, analyzing and reporting of results to the Nursery Cooperative membership. Research Reports were prepared, Technical Notes distributed to membership and results presented, both orally and via poster to appropriate audiences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The 2016 Nursery Cooperative Contact meeting was held on July 18 in conjunction with the Southern Forest Nursery Association biennial meeting in Lake George, LA with IFCO and Campbell Timberlands hosting the nursery tours. The meeting was attended by 43 Nursery Cooperative members and over 120 members of the Southern Forest Nursery Association. Nursery Cooperative staff presented information to the entire group on soil fumigant usage rates over time, weed control and a rapid pitch canker identification tool that is ready for members to participate on. The field trips at this meeting included a tour of the Campbell Global bareroot nursery in Jasper, TX with a demonstration of the UAV capabilities conducted by the Biosystems Engineering Department at Auburn University. Dr. Christian Brodbeck and his team have been flying the Shellman Nursery all summer, gathering information on crop production over the growing season What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Based on input and research direction from membership, the plans for the next reporting period will be to follow the Research WorkPlan that was developed by the research staff and approved by the Advisory Board of the Southern Forest Nursery Managment Cooperative on November 11, 2016.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A number of herbicide trials were conducted to examine the control of weeds in container-grown conifer seedlings. The first used Pendulum Aqua Cap applied at two rates to newly-sown trays of loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf and slash pine at a nursery in GA. The timing of sprays was coordinated with estimated willow seed dispersal, so weekly applications were made on each species in order to accumulate as many willow seeds as possible. Examination of willow and other weeds, as well as seedling survival and seedling quality measurements indicate that the use of PAC on conifer seedlings does not affect seedling quality. Weed control, as measured by the number of weeds, was more effective on containers that had more than one application of PAC. In other trials, the Marengo outplanting studies established in Alabama and Louisiana in December 2015 continued to show no negative affect on seedling growth or survival when applied to seedlings in the nursery. This is despite, smaller root systems of seedlings that received the herbicide over those seedlings that did not. To confirm the negative affect of this herbicide on longleaf pine, a third year installation of the original 2014 Marengo trial for willow control in container production systems was completed in Moultrie, GA. Three rates of Marengo were sprayed over-the-top of longleaf, loblolly, slash and shortleaf seedlings at 6 weeks post-sowing of each species. Willow and weed counts, weed identification, and percent fill of trays were recorded prior to spray application in the spring and again in October to rate weed control and seedling quality. Because of the potential negative aspects of this compound, applications of three post-emergent herbicides, florasulam, penoxsulam and trifloxysulfuron, were made at sowing and in over-the-top single applications at 8, 13 and 16 weeks post-sowing in loblolly and slash pine. Similar to Marengo, inspections through the spring and summer revealed stunting of seedlings in applications made at sowing, particularly in the penoxsulam study. These compounds do not appear to be useful for the control of weeds in forest-tree nurseries. Because of the relatively high rate of active ingredient used in seed treatments, loblolly and slash pine seedlings were treated with 5 rates of Proline, standard Bayleton and water check to determine the lowest effective rate to control fusiform rust when used as a seed treatment prior to sowing. Treated seed were sown at the USFS Rust Testing Laboratory and 6 weeks post sowing were challenged with 30,000 basidiospores of Cronartium quercuum f.sp fusiforme. Based on infection rates, it appears that the rate could be reduced by ½ the label and still be effective in disease control. These trials are to be repeated in 2017 to confirm the disease control. With respect to seedling quality after outplanting, a fertilizer trial revealed that prior to outplanting the Polyon and Multicote treatment RCD were significantly greater than that of the nursery fertilization control. This trend has continued following outplanting. The two rates of each CRF incorporated with the same container set revealed that all rates of Polyon and Multicote were visually greener and larger than the standard nursery control. Future trials are planned to determine the optimum Nitrogen level at the time of lifting. New chemistries always come with some potential pitfalls, one of those was SIGNET® 480FS (Thiram) negatively affecting geotropism of the seedling radical causing the inability of the seed to properly send the radical down into the soil. However, the phototropism is still working causing emerging seedling to try to erect itself. Based on these results, this product should not be used as a seed treatment on loblolly pine seed due to poor germination. A regional freeze in the southern US resulted in a 100,000 of acres of tip-burned seedlings. Greenhouse and field studies revealed water and temperature stress had an effect on root and shoot development. Burning the tip resulted in significantly less root weight, shoot weight, new root growth and fewer new white tips when compared to the unburned control. Tip dieback due to freeze injury / drought, significantly affects root growth infield and could also affect survival.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Harper, R.A., Hern�ndez, G., Arseneault, J., Woodruff, K.J., Enebak, S.A., Overton, R.P and Haase. D.L. 2016. Forest Nursery Seedling Production in the United States; Fiscal Year 2015. Tree Planters Notes 58:60-64.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Levendis, W., Barlow, B., Kush, J. and Enebak, S.A. 2016. Site suitability for shortleaf pine restoration in the eastern Alabama fall line region, pgs 429-432. In: Proceedings of the 18th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Eds: Schweitzer, C.J., Wanye, K., and Oswalt, C.M. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-212.
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