RT Journal Article
T1 Establishment of Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp. using different weed control strategies in southern Spain
A1 Navarro Cerrillo, Rafael M
A1 Fragueiro, Benito
A1 Ceacero Ruiz, Carlos Juan
A1 Del Campo, Antonio
A1 De Prado, Rafael
K1 Afforestation
K1 Herbaceous weed control
K1 Holm oak
K1 Oak plantations
K1 Quercus ilex
AB Formerly cropped sites on Mediterranean areas that have been planted with hardwoods are typically associated with low tree survival and growth, with an enduring influence of agricultural weeds in the herbaceous stratum. This study evaluates the survival and growth of planted Holm oak (Quercus ilex L. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) in response to three weed control treatments on a cropland site in southern Spain. The weed control treatments (cultivation, herbicide, and mulch) were applied in combination with tree shelters. Survival, relative growth rate, biomass, and root architecture were monitored over a 1-year period. Shelter microclimate was measured 1 year after establishment. Trees in the ground management treatments consistently had greater levels of survival than the control. Although these effects were not significantly different between weed control treatments, we found that tree shelters had a significant effect on growth and biomass. There were also significant treatment effects on root architecture. The response of trees to weed control treatments and tree shelters are consistent with other studies, which suggest a positive effect related to the interplay of microclimate change and resource availability. Our results suggest that weed control may improve early survival in forest plantations and, in combination with tree shelters, merit consideration in Mediterranean afforestation programs.
PB Elsevier
YR 2005
FD 2005
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/19600
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/19600
LA en
NO Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, E-41013, Sevilla, Spain
DS RIO
RD May 24, 2026