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Alnus maritime
ssp. oklahomensis performance in non-irrigated landscapes
in the Intermountain West
Kratsch, Heidi A. 2008. Alnus maritime ssp. oklahomensis performance in non-irrigated landscapes in the Intermountain West. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 26(4): 229-234.
Alnus maritima (Marsh.) Muhl. ex Nutt. ssp. oklahomensis Schrader & Graves has potential for ornamental use in the Intermountain West. Because this taxon is native to low-elevation wetlands, we sought to determine its response to the dry soils and climate of northern Utah. Although seeds sown directly at three non-irrigated sites in northern Utah either did not germinate or germinated and died, seeds planted in a greenhouse in soils from the three sites did germinate and survive. Hardened plants grown from these seeds and installed at the same three sites overwintered, broke bud and leafed out, but none survived longer than four weeks after bud break without irrigation. Ratings of progression of bud break were greatest (3.5 to 3.8 out of 5), and leaf scorch least (16.0 to 16.7%), in areas with either low light or wet soils. Plants from the same crop left in their containers on an irrigated gravel pad under partial shade showed no signs of stress. Our results suggest that A. maritima ssp. oklahomensis cannot survive under non-irrigated outdoor conditions in Intermountain West landscapes and may require irrigation and protection from sun and wind for optimal performance.
Keywords: germination, light intensity, soil moisture, seaside alder, arid landscapes
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http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2008_kratsch_h001.pdf
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Title: RMRS Other
Publications: Alnus maritime ssp. oklahomensis performance
in non-irrigated landscapes in the Intermountain West
Electronic Publish Date: June 18, 2010
Last Update: June
18, 2010