Container Tree Nursery Manuals

Volume 3: Atmospheric Environment

USDA Forest Service, Agricultural Handbook 674. 1996

Thomas Landis, Richard Tinus, Stephen McDonald and James Barnett

[Volume 1] [Volume 2] [Volume 3] [Volume 4] [Volume 5] [Volume 6]

In this volume the authors discuss the four atmospheric factors of the container nursery environment-temperature, humidity, light and carbon dioxide- which directly control the growth rate of a crop of tree seedlings. Although they are discussed separately, these four factors must always be considered together because they interact with each other in controlling growth. The other two important factors in growth-water and minerals-are discussed in volume 4 of the Container Tree Nursery manuals.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1-Temperature Pages 3-46

• Introduction
• Role of Temperature in Tree Seedling Growth and Development
• Optimum Temperature Levels
• Modifying Temperature in Container Tree Nurseries
• Temperature Monitoring and Control Systems
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Literature Cited

Chapter 2-Humidity Pages 47-72

• Introduction
• Role of Humidity in Tree Seedling Growth and Development
• Optimum Humidity Levels
• Modifying Humidity in Container Tree Nurseries
• Humidity Monitoring and Control Systems
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Literature Cited

Chapter 3-Light Pages 73-122

• Introduction
• Role of Light in Tree Seedling Growth and Development
• Optimum Light Levels
• Modifying Light in Container Tree Nurseries
• Light Monitoring and Control Systems
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Literature Cited

Chapter 4-Carbon Dioxide Pages 123-141

• Introduction
• Role of Carbon Dioxide in Tree Seedling Growth and Development
• Optimum Carbon Dioxide Levels
• Modifying Carbon Dioxide in Container Tree Nurseries
• Carbon Dioxide Monitoring and Control Systems
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Literature Cited

Index of Common and Scientific Names, Pages 144-145

The manual is based on the best current knowledge on container tree nursery management and should be used as a general reference. Recommendations were made using the best information available at the time and are, therefore, subject to revision as more information becomes available. Much of the information in this manual was developed for western and southern conifer seedlings. Although the authors attempted to include information for species from other geographic areas, because of the wide variation in individual species responses, contain nursery managers will need to adapt these principles and procedures to their own nursery situation.