Local provenances not best for afforestation with downy birch near the Keflavik Airport
03.12.2018
In a 14-year trial near the Keflavik International Airport in Southwest Iceland, local provenances of downy birch were poorer in performance than many other southern provenances. For afforestation with downy birch, it is recommended that high-performing provenances be planted with initial artificial fertilization, accompanied by simultaneous seeding of lupine.
This is explained in a newly published article in the journal Icelandic Agricultural Sciences. The authors recommend that for afforestation purposes on areas with poor soil in Suðurnes, emphasis should be laid upon the provenances showing the most promising results in the trial.
ABSTRACT
Afforestation in southwest Iceland is hindered by eroded, infertile soils and salt deposition from strong oceanic winds. A trial plot of 25 provenances of native downy birch collected throughout Iceland was established in 1998 near Keflavik International Airport to identify the best adapted stock. Seedlings were fertilized in the early years; in 2003 lupine was transplanted into the plot. In 2012, the 25 provenances differed significantly in growth and survival. Both seedling height and survival correlated with latitude of provenance origin, but not with longitude, elevation, or distance from the Keflavik plot. Southern provenances performed better than other regions, with Thórsmörk best in both growth and survival. Local provenances were poorer in performance than many other southern provenances. For afforestation with downy birch, it is recommended that high-performing provenances be planted with initial artificial fertilization, accompanied by simultaneous seeding of lupine.
The article is in English with an Icelandic abstract. It is to be found on the journal website, ias.is, or downloaded by clicking on the following link: