| dc.description.abstract | Nine conifer species, Japanese larch {Larix
kaempferi), white spruce (Picea glauca) , black spruce (P.
mariana), red spruce (P. rubens), jack pine (Pinus
banksiana), mugo pine (P. mugo), red pine (P.
resinosa),Japanese black pine (P. thunbergii) and Douglasfir
(Psevdotsuga menziesii var menziesii), were tested to
determine the effective host range of the ectomycorrhizal
fungus Laccaria proxima and the possibility of utilizing
pulp waste as potting medium for containerized seedling
production. L. proxima significantly improved the growth of
container grown jack pine, mugo pine, black spruce, red
spruce and Douglas-fir, improved the growth of Japanese
black pine and white spruce and slightly improved the growth
of red pine and Japanese larch. Rye grain spawn inoculum was
used for mycorrhizal establishment on jack pine seedlings.
Pulp waste (33% by volume) usually had negative effects on
tree seedlings except for Japanese black pine (positive) and
Douglas-fir (no significant effect). The interactions of L.
proxima and pulp waste varied with host tree species, but
were significantly positive (P < 0.01) for jack pine and
black spruce, and nearly significant for red spruce (P <
0.08) . Negative effects were found with Japanese black pine.
Up to 8% pulp waste by volume without mycorrhiza
improved the growth of jack pine seedlings over the
controls, but over 8% pulp waste hindered jack pine seedling
growth. Ten to 30% of pulp waste was effectively utilized in
jack pine seedling production in association with L.
proxima. Pulp waste with malt extract amendment was used as
a spawn medium. Pulp waste in seedling production of black
spruce, mugo pine, red spruce and Douglas-fir in association
with Ii. proxima and of Japanese black pine without is
feasible, but further research is needed to find out the
optimal percentage of pulp waste which can be utilized in
seedling production for most tree species. | |
