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Nursery Resource Efficiency Drives Seedling Quality and Field Establishment of Pinus devoniana for Forest Restoration

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Listed:
  • Rosario Marilu Bernaola-Paucar

    (Escuela Profesional de Ingeniería Agroindustrial, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma Altoandina de Tarma, Junín 12731, Peru)

  • Bayron Alexander Ruiz-Blandon

    (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Mexico City 04010, Mexico)

  • Efrén Hernández-Alvarez

    (Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Departamento de Producción Forestal, Universidad de Guadalajara, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Zapopan 44600, Mexico)

  • Vincenzo Bertolini

    (Departamento de Conservación de la Biodiversidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto Km. 2.5, Tapachula 30700, Mexico)

  • René Alejandro Flores-Estrella

    (Departamento Ciencias de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto Km. 2.5, Tapachula 30700, Mexico)

  • Luis Armando Nieto Ramos

    (Departamento de Psicología, Universidad Andina del Cusco, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru)

  • Carlos Emérico Nieto Ramos

    (Facultad de Ingeniería, Escuela Profesional de Ingeniería Forestal y Medio Ambiente, Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado 17001, Peru)

  • Julian Leonardo Mantari Mallqui

    (Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Escuela Profesional de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Huancavelica, Acobamba 09381, Peru)

  • Kenyi Paul Hinostroza Mendoza

    (Facultad de Ingeniería en Industrias Alimentarias, Escuela de Ingenieria en Industrias Alimentarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, El Tambo, Huancayo 12000, Peru)

Abstract

Forest restoration depends on producing seedlings able to convert nursery inputs into functional traits that persist after outplanting. This study evaluated whether contrasting nursery resource-management profiles, derived from container volume, fertilization, and irrigation, shaped seedling quality and field establishment of Pinus devoniana . Seedlings were conditioned for six months under eight profiles and validated during one year under field conditions. Nursery evaluation included morphology, biomass allocation, Dickson Quality Index (DQI), nutrient status, and proline; field validation included survival, growth, ectomycorrhization, stomatal density, and lignification. Profiles differed significantly in root collar diameter, height, root biomass, total biomass, root–shoot ratio, and DQI. The 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile produced the highest integrated quality, with 140.9% more root biomass than the weakest root profile and 144.3% higher DQI than the lowest-quality profile. Nitrogen- and proline-separated nutrient and stress responses showed that higher nutrient status did not always imply lower stress. Field survival reached its highest value under the 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile, exceeding several 1 L profiles by 74.8%. DQI was positively associated with field survival (r = 0.71, p = 0.048), supporting a nursery-to-field carry-over effect. The findings highlight rooting space as a leverage point for improving reforestation outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosario Marilu Bernaola-Paucar & Bayron Alexander Ruiz-Blandon & Efrén Hernández-Alvarez & Vincenzo Bertolini & René Alejandro Flores-Estrella & Luis Armando Nieto Ramos & Carlos Emérico Nieto Ramos &, 2026. "Nursery Resource Efficiency Drives Seedling Quality and Field Establishment of Pinus devoniana for Forest Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:11:p:5221-:d:1949166
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