Metla Project 3237

Improvement of direct seeding and site preparation

Duration: 1998-2003 Keywords: Norway spruce, Scots pine, Silver birch, direct seeding, site preparation, weeds

Objectives

The aim of the project is to clarify possibilities to use direct seeding as a regeneration method in practise. The main questions to answer are:

Is it possible to enlarge using of seeding to richer forest site types than it is recommended. In practise they have already done so by using mechanised seeding, because it is easy and quick method.
Which is the economy of spruce and birch seeding. Spruce and birch are mainly regenerated by planting. Now we can seed both spruce and birch by machine combined with site preparation unit. Has the balance between regeneration methods changed.
How we could develope seeding methods. Seeds are rather expensive. If we could decrease the amount of seeds per hectare without decreasing seeding result, we could reach a better economical result. What is the best combination between labour and material costs.
How we could improve site preparation and weed control methods for better seeding results. What is the right site preparation method on different sites.

Seeding is also compared with planting and natural regeneration on similar regeneration areas. Forest regeneration will be seen as a process, where natural seedling material and artificial methods together will lead to the final regeneration result.

Results

Research results of the project are following:

Positive correlation between laboratory and field germination was found.
Scots pine and Norway spruce seeding succeeded in spring and early summer better than seeding in autumn. Silver birch seeding succeeded as well in spring as in autumn.
The success of Scots pine seeding was nearly the same on harrowed as on mounded plots. Instead Norway spruce and Silver birch seeding was not very successful on mounded plots.
Mineral soil was a better substratum for seeding than humus. The germination rate of Scots pine seeding increased drastically when seeds were placed in small holes and were covered by a thin layer of mineral soil.
The best seeding method for Silver birch was shelter seeding using small plastic cones. The second best method was to cover seeds with a layer of light gravel.
The total costs of manual and mechanised seeding were nearly the same.

Project leader: Kinnunen, Kaarlo
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Parkano Research Unit, Kaironiementie 54, 39700 Parkano
Phone: +358 10 211 4049 Telefax: +358 10 211 4001
E-mail: kaarlo.kinnunen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Rummukainen, Arto, VA (1999-2003), Savonen, Eira Maija, PA (1999-2000)

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Updated 30.12.2006
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