Pre-Plant Fumigation of Soils for Nematode Control Affects the Seedling Production and Morphological Properties of Pine and Larch Seedlings

Abstract

Using a fumigation sterilizer (Dazomet) for nematode control, this study determined the effect of soil sterilization on the quantity and quality of the growth of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. and Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere seedlings in an open-field nursery at Jeongseon-gun, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea. Most soil nematodes disappeared after fumigant sterilization. The organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, and Mg2+ content of the soil increased significantly, but the electrical conductivity (EC) decreased. The quantity of pine and larch seedlings was highly correlated with the soil nematode density. The soil properties changed due to soil fumigation, which affected the growth of both species. Pine seedling growth was affected by the soil chemical properties, such as available phosphorus (AP), Ca2+, Mg2+, and EC, and the growth of larch seedlings was affected by the EC and nematode density. The quality of the pine seedlings improved, whereas that of larch did not. This was a result of the difference in their tolerance to soil salinity. The seedling quality index (SQI) of the two species was related to the EC, but the pine seedlings were more affected by the EC, indicating that the control of soil nematodes by fumigant treatment significantly increased the quantity of seedlings produced and partly improved their quality. Soil management using a fumigant treatment was more efficient for producing pine seedlings than larch. Our results can be used to improve agricultural and forestry economics.