Enhancing forest plantations survivability through hydrogel, fertilizers, and growth regulators

Abstract

Lebanonis facing several social and climatic stresses that are impacting its forest cover and reforestation. In spite of numerous initiatives undertaken by the government, there are indications of an increasing drought like conditions due to climining yearly temperatures and lower precipitation over the past decades. There is an urgent need to take action in terms of not only policymaking but also making available practical and actionable insights that can assist in reforestation efforts. This study aimed to explore the scope of using hydrogel, fertilizers and growth regulators to enhance survivability of seedlings and to ensure their high growth. The findings have provided insights about effectiveness of using a 1% concentration of urea or ammonia for the most effective moisture retention in the hydrogel and showed the possibility of their joint use. The study also found Cornevin to provide best results with 1% concentration. Epin showed slightly worse results, but can also be used in conjunction with hydrogel. When creating forest plantations, treatment of root systems with the growth regulator Epin together with a hydrogel increases the survival rate of seedlings, their weight and height, which can be recommended for sandy soils, including arid conditions. In addition, high survival rates and biometric indicators were shown by the use of containerized seedlings, which can also be recommended for the creation of forest plantations in such conditions