The effect of rooting volume and container configuration on the early growth of white spruce seedlings

Abstract

White spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were germinated and grown for 20 weeks in containers ranging in volume from 10 cm3 to 524 cm3. Containers for four of the six volumes were constructed in three different ratios of height to diameter (1:1, 3:1, and 6:1), with the remaining two volumes at 3:1. Both container diameter and volume had prounced effects on seedling growth. White spruce produced significantly more roots in the top quarter of the container than did lodgepole pine (Pinnscontorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.), indicating that white spruce and lodgepole pine require containers of different configuration for optimum growth.