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We investigated a new method for the establishment of dwarf Napiergrass by covering stem cuttings with soil in the winter season analogously to summer establishment in sugarcane. Three experiments were conducted, including measuring the labor involved in plant establishment, and an extension study was applied to livestock producers’ fields in two locations. Using this technique, we obtained an emerged plant density of over two plants/m2. Moreover, this proved a simple and labor-saving method compared with manual or mechanical transplanting. Sowing of Italian ryegrass at the same time as covering cuttings of dwarf Napiergrass with soil could control spring weed growth without disturbing the emergence of dwarf Napiergrass, suggesting the feasibility of a double-cropping forage production system in the region.

Saw palmetto is a palm of high ornamental and land restoration value with the potential for commercial production as a result of its phytotherapeutic properties. It is native to the southeastern United States, where green- and silver-leaved forms are found. Nursery production of saw palmetto is based on seed germination. However, seed germination is slow and uneven. Based on communications with nursery growers, deeper seed placement in the substrate yields taller seedlings at marketable size in a shorter period. We investigated the influence of sowing seed depths (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm) on the germination and seedling growth of silver and green forms of saw palmetto. Green saw palmetto seeds germinated 60 days earlier than silver saw palmetto seeds, although final germination percentages were similar (84% and 82%, respectively). Sowing depth influenced significantly the required seed rate overage, with shallow depths (1 cm) necessitating a 30% to 45% increase in seed quantity to compensate for reduced seedling production, whereas sowing at 4 cm reduced overage to 5% to 6%, optimizing seed use and reducing costs. Differences in growth parameters 1 year after sowing were statistically significant for 1-year-old seedlings, with silver plants performing better than green ones. Major differences occurred between the 1- and 8-cm sowing depths with regard to seedling and root length. Plants from seeds sown at 8 cm showed increased plant height and width, and reduced root length compared with those sown at 1 cm. Vigor indices of plants from deeper sowing (2, 4, 6, and 8 cm) were higher than those sown at 1 cm. We conclude that green saw palmetto seeds germinated earlier than silver, but final germination percentages were similar. In addition, sowing at 4 cm optimized seed use and costs, whereas deeper sowing improved plant vigor and growth but reduced root length.

Research Highlights: The global Forest Landscape Restoration ambitions could be impaired by projects that ignore key principles such as the engagement of local communities in decision making and implementation, equitable benefit sharing, and monitoring for adaptive management. This entails the danger of continued degradation, disappointed local stakeholders, and ultimately, project failure. Other projects face technical problems related to tree establishment and nursery production. Background and Objectives: There are high hopes for Forest and Landscape Restoration to regain ecosystem integrity and enhance human well-being in deforested and degraded areas. We highlight various problems and success factors experienced during project implementation on a global scale. Materials and Methods: We use data from a global online survey to identify common obstacles and success factors for the implementation of forest restoration. Results: While the majority of respondents reported successful projects, others indicate drastic problems and failed projects. Major obstacles to forest restoration experienced by survey respondents were a lack of local stakeholder involvement and a mismatch between goals of local communities and restoration managers, as well as environmental, anthropogenic, and technical barriers to tree regeneration. Conclusions: When local communities, their goals, and needs are disregarded in project planning and implementation, as reported from various cases in our survey and the limited available literature, there is a risk of project failure. Failed projects and disappointed stakeholders, as well as discouraged funders and policy-makers, could lessen the momentum of global forest restoration ambitions. Adhering to key principles of Forest and Landscape Restoration can promote much-needed community support, with the potential to overcome barriers to forest regeneration and enable communities for the protection, management, and monitoring of the restored forests beyond the limited project and funding periods. Research is needed to gain a better understanding of the perception of local communities towards restoration activities. Further studies on the implementation of forest restoration at the intersection of environmental factors, socioeconomic conditions, forest regeneration/silviculture, and nursery production are needed.

Water and soilless substrates are critical resources to the nursery industry. Researchers and nursery growers are increasingly using substrate moisture sensors (SMSs) to investigate soilless substrate water retention and hydrology in container production systems and to schedule irrigation to optimize the use of these resources. Research explored the influence of proximity of two EC-5 dielectric constant SMSs positioned in four different orientations on volumetric water content (VWC) measurement. One SMS remained stationary throughout each test and the other, the mobile SMS, was repositioned to create the change in distance between the two SMSs. Both SMSs were installed in coir, Sphagnum peat moss (peat), or pine bark, and one was designated the mobile SMS. The mobile SMS was removed and reinstalled in 1-cm increments closer to the stationary SMS while the VWC of the stationary SMS was recorded. For coir and pine bark, there was no effect of SMS proximity for any orientation ( P ≥ 0.080) even when the SMSs were touching. For peat, when the orientation was positive-to-negative or positive-to-positive, the mobile SMS had a higher VWC than the stationary SMS ( P < 0.000). The mobile SMS had a more negative linear relationship between distance and VWC than the stationary SMS ( P = 0.001); however, this effect was within the EC-5’s accuracy of 0.02–0.03 cm 3 ·cm −3 . Theories for this effect, including the known compressible nature of peat and the established pattern of peat degradation from physical handling, were explored.

The commercial propagation of strawberries is increasingly constrained by the incidence of both established and emerging soilborne pathogens, particularly under soil cultivation systems. Micropropagation represents an effective strategy to ensure the production of virus-free, true-to-type mother plants suitable for high-efficiency propagation. In this study, micropropagated mother plants of four short-day cultivars (‘Francesca’, ‘Silvia’, ‘Lauretta’, and ‘Dina’) and one ever-bearing advanced selection (‘AN12,13,58’) were cultivated under a controlled soilless system. Quantitative parameters including number of runners per plant, runner length, and number of tips per runner and per plant were assessed to evaluate propagation performance. Micropropagated mother plants exhibited a significantly higher stoloniferous potential compared to in vivo-derived mother plants (frigo plants type A), with the latter producing approximately 50% fewer propagules. Rooted tips of ‘Dina’ were further assessed under different fertigation regimes. The NPK 20–20–20 nutrient solution enhanced photosynthetic activity and shoot and root biomass (length, diameter, and volume via WinRHIZO analysis). These results confirm the suitability of micropropagated mother plants grown in soilless conditions for efficient, high-quality clonal propagation and support the integration of such systems into certified nursery production schemes.

Reforestation and restoration using nursery-produced seedlings is often the most reliable way to ensure successful establishment and rapid growth of native plants. Plant establishment success—that is, the ability for the plant to develop within a set period of time with minimal further interventions needed—depends greatly on decisions made prior to planting, and yet nursery-grown plants are often produced independently of considering the range of stressors encountered after nursery production. The optimal plant or seedling will vary greatly with species and site (depending on edaphic and environmental conditions), and in having the biological capacity to withstand human and wildlife pressures placed upon vegetative communities. However, when nursery production strategies incorporate knowledge of genetic variability, address limiting factors, and include potential mitigating measures, meeting the objectives of the planting project—be it reforestation or restoration—becomes more likely. The Target Plant Concept (TPC) is an effective framework for defining, producing, and handling seedlings and other types of plant material based on specific characteristics suited to a given site. These characteristics are often scientifically derived from testing factors that are linked to outplanting success, such as seedling morphology and physiology, genetic source, and capacity to overcome limiting factors on outplanting sites. This article briefly summarizes the current knowledge drawn from existing literature for each component of the TPC framework, thereby helping land managers and scientists to meet objectives and accelerate reforestation and restoration trajectories.

Biochar can be used as an alternative component in growing media, positively affecting plant growth/yield, but also media properties. In the present study, two commercial grade biochars (BFW-forest wood; and BTS-fresh wood screening), mainly wood-based materials, were used at 7.5% and 15% (v/v), adding nutrient in two levels (100% and 150% standard fertilizer level-Fert). Biochar affected growing media properties, with increases on pH and changes on the nutrient content levels. Biochar BFW enhanced the emergence of seeds in comparison to the control. Increased fertilizer levels benefited plant yield in BFW and BTS at 7.5%, but not at 15%. Leaf stomatal conductance was reduced at 150% fertilized biochars (BFW + Fert and BTS + Fert) at 7.5%, while total chlorophylls increased at BTS + Fert at 7.5% and 15%. The addition of biochars decreased the antioxidant activity in the plant. Lipid peroxidation in lettuce was increased in most cases with the presence of biochars (BFW, BTS) and 150% fertilization, activating antioxidant (superoxide oxidase and peroxidase) enzymatic metabolisms. The addition of Biochars in the growing media increased the content of nutrients in seedlings, as plants could absorb more available nutrients. Biochar of beech, spruce, and pine species (BFW) at 7.5% was more promising for substituting peat to produce lettuce seedlings. However, examining different species (tomato, leek, impatiens, and geranium) with BFW at 7.5%, the results were not common, and each species needs to be evaluated further.

Bottlebrush ( Callistemon vinimalis ) is a widely propagated and cultivated ornamental large shrub with large red bottlebrush-like flowers. Traditional clonal propagation using stem cuttings may be replaced with tissue cultured liners. In this study, we established a container-grown field experiment of bottlebrush ‘Little John’ using liners propagated from both rooted stem cuttings and tissue culture. Growth index was recorded by propagation method periodically through the 34-week period, and both fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots recorded at experiment’s end. Final growth index of plants grown from tissue cultured liners were significantly greater than growth index of plants started from rooted stem cuttings. Both fresh and dry root weight means were significantly greater in plants propagated by tissue culture. Further testing of containerized bottlebrush production, through the flowering stage, will better determine whether tissue-cultured liners accelerate production time vs. liners from stem cuttings.

This study examined the effects of two apple cultivars (Gala and Jonagold), four irrigation levels (0, 10, 20, and 30 mm), and four fertilization treatments (N0P0K0, N8P8K8, N16P16K16, N24P24K24) on nursery tree density. Jonagold exhibited a slightly higher mean density (95.63 ± 4.790%) compared to Gala (93.50 ± 6.195%). Tree density peaked at 99.38 ± 1.295% under the 30 mm irrigation level and declined with reduced irrigation, while fertilization levels showed no significant independent effect. Both cultivars achieved their highest densities under the 30 mm irrigation level (Gala: 99.25 ± 1.650%; Jonagold: 99.50 ± 0.827%), and several cultivar–fertilizer–irrigation combinations reached 100% density. The lowest density (89.00 ± 6.944%) occurred in Gala under the N24P24K24 treatment without irrigation. Overall, results indicate that irrigation, particularly the 30 mm norm, is the key determinant of maximizing nursery tree density, with select combinations enabling complete survival.

Rootstock mother fields supply the cuttings used in the grafted grapevine propagation process, and their productivity is essential for the nursery production. In southern Europe, mother fields are usually managed with a ground-level pruning system, which provides high yields but increases sanitary and management risks. Dense canopies favour humid microclimates and large pruning wounds increase the incidence of trunk diseases. Trellis systems have been proposed as alternatives to mitigate these risks, but their productive performance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vegetative growth of three vertical trellis systems: elevated crown, alternate crown, and vertical axis, in two rootstock mother fields, and to compare their cutting productivity with that of the traditional ground-level system once the trellis vines were fully established. The trial was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in a commercial rootstock mother field in Soria, Spain, using two Vitis berlandieri × V. rupestris hybrids (110 Richter and 140 Ruggeri). The experimental design consisted of three trellis systems arranged in four replicates of 12 vines each, following a randomised block design. Pruning weight increased significantly with vine age but was unaffected by trellis system. Cutting yield differed between rootstocks, with 140 Ruggeri producing about twice as many cuttings as 110 Richter. The comparison between trellis and ground-level systems showed that the former increased labour requirements and reduced cutting yields. Although trellis systems challenge their adoption for commercial rootstock propagation under the dry-summer conditions of this study, their potential to reduce fungal disease incidence and improve canopy management may offer advantages in a transition towards a more sustainable nursery process.