Soil compaction effects on the germination and growth of valonia oak seedlings (Quercus ithaburensis ssp. macrolepis)

The effect of soil compaction on the germination and growth of valonia oak, a promising for reforestation practices species, was studied in this paper. Soil compaction is considered as a key factor affecting the success of a reforestation and has not being studied for the particular species so far. For that purpose, an experiment was conducted under controlled conditions where acorn germination and seedlings survival was recorded under three different conditions: with normal soil bulk density equal to 0,7 g/cm3, with medium of 1,1 g/cm3 and high soil compaction of 1,4 g/cm3. It is concluded that acorn germination is not affected by soil compaction. Similarly, soil under normal conditions and under high compaction does not affect the growth of the seedlings. On the contrary, medium soil compaction negatively affected seedlings survival.