The effects of planting date and seedling quality on field performance of Castanea sativa Mill. and Quercus frainetto Ten. seedlings

Abstract

Two‐year‐old container‐grown Castanea sativa Mill. and Quercus frainetto Ten. seedlings were planted at a field site on four different planting dates. Root electrolyte leakage (REL) and root growth potential (RGP) of seedlings were determined before planting while net photosynthesis, leaf area and leaf water potential were monitored during the first growing season. The pre‐planting stock quality testing showed no significant differences for REL and RGP of C. sativa and REL of Q. frainetto while differences were found for RGP of Q. frainetto . Midday leaf water potential, on seven dates during the first growing season, of C. sativa seedlings planted in December and January was significantly higher than those of seedlings planted in February and March. Both species sustained high photosynthetic rates throughout the first growing season and no significant differences between planting dates were observed. The total plant leaf area of December‐ and January‐planted Q. frainetto seedlings were significantly higher than those of seedlings planted in February and March. There was a general trend for seedlings planted in December and January to have higher survival than ones planted in February and March.