- TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - Hier 00:46

Improving propagation of indigenous species

A Journal of Forestry Research article has highlighted Scion’s work to improve propagation and increase the production of indigenous species in nurseries. Source: Timberbiz The article showcases a New Zealand-first study that investigated the impact of container grade size on the survival and field performance of 12 key natives – to better understand the link between containers and post-planting seedling survival and growth performance. The study saw Scion raise seedlings from the 12 native species in different container sizes and testing how they performed in good or poor-quality sites. Scion collaborated with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Minginui Nursery, CNI Iwi land Management, the Tumunui Land Trust, Timberlands, Rotorua Lakes Council and the Tipu Waiariki Charitable Trust (Tipu Wai), which provided the sites and helped with preparation and planting. Industry-standard pots were compared with smaller containers such as 7cm and 8cm paper Ellepots and forestry-grade pots. The effect of differences in length of time, type of container and tree spacing were monitored to determine the impact on survival rates and tree growth. Program lead David Siqueira says results showed high-quality sites and larger container systems tended to promote higher survival and faster early growth. “Some species, such as Leptospermum scoparium (manuka), survived and grew well (>75%), even when raised in small containers, while others such as Sophora microphylla (kowhai) had very low survival rates (