Helen J. Jozefek

The effect of varying levels of potassium on the frost resistance of birch seedlings.

Jozefek H. J. (1989). The effect of varying levels of potassium on the frost resistance of birch seedlings. Silva Fennica vol. 23 no. 1 article id 5369. https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15528

Abstract

Seven hundred one-year-old Betula pendula Roth seedlings were given different concentrations of potassium fertilizer. Over the study period seedlings were subjected to artificial growing and dormant phases. Frost resistance of the seedlings was assessed by artificial freezing tests and electrical impedance measurements on stem cuttings. In general, high concentrations of potassium fertilizer reflected a low tolerance to frost. Pre-freezing impedance readings decreased with increasing potassium fertilizer dosages. Results from pre-freezing impedance measurements were found to be in broad agreement with the hypothesis that high impedance readings indicate a frost hardy tissue whereas low readings imply the opposite.

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Keywords
frost hardiness; Betula pendula; electrical impedance; cold tolerance; potassium fertilizer

Published in 1989

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Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/sf.a15528 | Download PDF