Soil Texture Influences Seedling Water Stress in More Ways Than One
White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were planted in pans filled with soils of three different textures: two mineral and one organic (peat). A few months were allowed for adequate root growth into the surrounding medium. After a drying period, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and xylem water potential were measured on all seedlings. For any given level of soil water tension, coarse soil (peat) caused the seedlings to have a lower (more negative) level of water potential than fine soils (fine sand and sandy loam.) Peat was worse than fine sand, and fine sand was worse than sandy loam. The results show that site assessment for planting suitability must take into account the dynamic interaction between soil texture, water supply, and evaporative demand. Tree Planters' Notes 43(2):39-42; 1992.
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Author(s): Pierre Y. Bernier
Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volumes 43, Number 2 (1992)
Section: Peer-Reviewed Articles
Volume: 43
Number: 2
