Frost Resistance of Containerized Scots Pine Seedlings in High Latitudes

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2025-6-92-105

Keywords:

Pinus sylvestris, seedlings, morphometric parameters of seedlings, chemical indicators of seedlings, frost resistance, high latitudes

Abstract

The technology for producing planting stock with a closed root system of the main forest-forming species using a multi-rotation cultivation mode is being improved. In forest nurseries of the middle taiga forest subzone of Russia with a short growing season, the introduction of such a regime is difficult due to the risk of seedlings being unprepared for transplantation to a planting area and low stress resistance. At the end of the growing season in November 2023, a comparative analysis of 1-year-old containerized seedlings of Pinus sylvestris L. was carried out under non-rotation (0rot) and 2-rotation (2rot) cultivation modes in northern latitudes. The experimental 1rotT variant has differed from the 1rot (1-rotation mode) by the use of a shade cloth. Morphometric parameters and the provision of basic mineral nutrients (N, P, and K) have been determined in seedlings. The dynamics of the index of damage to pine needle cell membranes by low temperatures in the autumn period during the transition of the plant from vegetation to dormancy has been studied. The morphometric parameters of the 2rot seedlings, with the exception of the stem diameter, have been lower than those of the seedlings of other variants and have not corresponded to the standard ones. The needles and stems of 2rot seedlings have differed from all variants in increased levels of nitrogen and potassium, as well as phosphorus in the stems compared to the 0rot and 1rotT variants. Unlike other variants, their needles have been bright green and they had not had an apical bud. The needles of seedlings of all cultivation modes in the 1st ten days of September have been resistant to low temperatures only down to –4 °C. The frost resistance of seedling nee dles has increased and in the 3rd ten-day period of October in all variants except 2rot the needles have not been damaged even at –25 °C. The 2rot seedlings have differed from other variants in their reduced frost resistance of needles from the 2nd ten-day period of September. Considering the possibility of frosts in the autumn period, there is a risk of damage to 2rot seedlings.

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Author Biographies

Nadezhda P. Chernobrovkina, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Doctor of Biology, Assoc. Prof.; ResearcherID: K-6120-2018

Elena V. Robonen, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Research Scientist; ResearcherID: AAD-1958-2019

Anastasiya V. Egorova, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Candidate of Agriculture, Junior Research Scientist; ResearcherID: K-6095-2018

Karina G. Nelaeva, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Postgraduate Student; ResearcherID: GYJ-7223-2022

Elena A. Koposova, Forest Research Institute of the Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Intern-Researcher; ResearcherID: ODM-1685-2025

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Published

2025-12-19

How to Cite

Chernobrovkina Н., Robonen Е., Egorova А., Nelaeva К., and Koposova Е. “Frost Resistance of Containerized Scots Pine Seedlings in High Latitudes”. Lesnoy Zhurnal (Forestry Journal), no. 6, Dec. 2025, pp. 92-105, doi:10.37482/0536-1036-2025-6-92-105.