Main Article Content
The effect of a soil-amended hydrogel on the establishment of a Eucalyptus grandis clone on a sandy clay loam soil in Zululand during winter: scientific paper
Abstract
Southern African Forestry Journal No.193 2002: 65-76
There was a highly significant (p<0,01) interaction between hydrogel and water which had a positive impact on both transplant survival and growth. There were significant differences between water only treatments when compared with all levels of hydrogel, with the hydrogel treatments performing significantly better. Optimum survival for water only treatments was achieved at the 4000 ml application level (50 %) while optimum survival for hydrogel and water was achieved for 6 g / 1000 ml and 12 g / 2000 ml of hydrogel and water (100 %). There were no significant differences for survival within all but one of the hydrogel treatments over all applications of water. Both the variates LSIC and BIC indicated that tree growth was significantly enhanced by the addition of hydrogel over all applications of water. Optimum tree performance was found to occur at 2000 ml water and 12 g hydrogel.
The results from this trial indicate the possibility of using a soil-amended hydrogel (Stockosorb 400K) to:
i successfully establish a Eucalyptus grandis clone in the Ntonjaneni area during winter, thereby successfully extending the planting season (between May and September) ;
ii significantly reduce water volumes used at planting without negatively affecting current silvicultural standards.