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Growth of Populus tremuloides in association with Calamagrostis canadensis

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Volume

28

Issue

3

First Page

396

Last Page

401

Publication Date

1998

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. on the growth of Populus tremuloides Michx. Containerized seedlings of P. tremuloides were transplanted into large pots and subjected to (1) three soil temperatures (20, 12, and 6°C), (2) root competition with C. canadensis, or (3) presence or absence of C. canadensis litter, each at two nutrient regimes. In the first experiment, significant differences (p = 0.0001) in pre- and neo-formed leaf area and root and shoot dry weights were observed for plants subjected to the three different soil temperatures. In experiment two, the presence of C. canadensis significantly (p < 0.001) reduced total biomass, plant height, and root collar calliper of P. tremuloides. In the third experiment, a significant interaction (p = 0.027) between C. canadensis litter and nutrient regime was observed, with the greatest inhibitory effect on P. tremuloides growth resulting from litter at the low nutrient regime. Low soil temperature had the strongest negative effect on P. tremuloides of the four factors investigated. However, direct competition with C. canadensis, low nutrient conditions, and C. canadensis litter likely would add to the growth suppression of P. tremuloides by this grass. The results of this study have significant implications for the management of P. tremuloides after harvesting.

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