Effects of nutritional status and seedling size on field performance of Pinus halepensis planted on former arable land in the Mediterranean basin

Abstract

Seedling size and nutrient concentration of nine Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seedling sets, which differed in nursery fertilization, were measured before being planted out. Height and survival were monitored for 3 years after planting. Transplant stress indexes (TSI), defined as the relationships between initial height and growth were analysed for five growth periods: December 1998 (planting date) to June 1999, June