The seed of Pinus sylvestris L. originating from natural forest in Voronezh region, Russian Federation, was graded in four classes based on seed diameter size, using the operational equipment of screens with round openings. The ungraded seedlot was used as control. Seedlings were produced in Voronezh containerized forest nursery, from March to September 2015, following the standard procedure for Pinus sylvestris. Seed from each size class, plus control, is sown in containers with 120 cm³ cells, filled with peat-substrate, grown in greenhouse for eight weeks, followed by hardening in growing area until the end of the growing season. The results shows a week positive effect of seed grading on height of one-year old container-grown seedlings, but significant improvement of seed use efficiency by reducing the number of empty cells. Based on results of this study, we can recommend grading of Pinus sylvestris seed on two size classes.

Seedling field performance is affected by both their quality and reforestation site conditions. Seedlings enter the establishment phase when they start to develop root systems into the surrounding soil and are coupled to the restoration site. Once seedlings are established, their inherent growth potential is related to morphological and physiological attributes and their ecophysiological response to site environmental conditions, which ultimately determines field performance. This establishment phase is a time when seedlings developed with certain nursery cultural practices begin to respond to site conditions. This phase is also a period when silvicultural practices have created microsites intended to benefit established seedlings field performance. Seedlings can be exposed to a wide range of environmental conditions during the establishment phase, some of which may be extreme enough to exceed their ability to physiologically tolerate environmental stress. When this occurs, seedling growth on the restoration site is reduced. On the other hand, this phase can provide planted seedlings with ideal environmental conditions that allow for an optimum physiological response and maximization of their growth potential. An understanding of the ecophysiological capability of planted seedlings can ensure they have the best chance at rapid stand establishment.

Breaking physical dormancy in some forest seeds is a challenge for scientists and forest managers to obtain an homogeneous germination for larger seed samples. The role played by the seed coat in seed dormancy of six trees with great interest in agroforestry (Robinia pseudoacacia, Leucaena leucocephala, Erythrostemon gilliesii, Styphnolobium japonicum, Acacia dealbata and Brachychiton populneus) was tested by the effects of the pretreatment and its duration on the performance of seed germination, by considering the final germination percentage (FGP) and the mean germination time (MGT). These parameters are estimated at various times of incubation (5, 10 and 15 days) in Petri dishes and stored in darkness at (25 ± 2°C). The pretreatment consists of an immersion of seeds in concentrated sulphuric acid during 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Sowing without pretreatment (control) revealed no germination induction for B. populneus and A. dealbata, except for R. pseudoacacia, L. leucocephala and S. japonica where the germination does not exceed 12% for all the experience duration. Generally, pretreatments were very useful to improve seed germination. The time of immersion into sulphuric acid significantly affected (P < 0.0001) the FGP and the MGT in all studied species. A duration of 30 minutes of soaking was adequate to give a very high rate of germination for L. leucocephala, E. gilliesii, S. japonica and A. dealbata with respective FGP of 100%, 95%, 100% and 100%. However, an extended duration of pretreatment of 60 minutes was necessary for a maximal germination for R. pseudoacacia and B. populneus with FGP of 85% and 100%, respectively. A prolonged duration of 90 minutes of presowing was very fatal for L. leucocephala, A. dealbata and B. populneus. An excellent germinative strength is characterized by a higher FGP and a reduced MGT.

The viability of Acacia auriculiformis production system in southern Benin was studied from an analytical perspective combining the production techniques and the financial profitability. The driving research question was as follows: "Will the nurseries be able to supply the seedlings suited to successful reforestation programmes?" A survey was carried out among nursery holders in the Atlantique Department. The snowball sampling method enabled to survey 55 nursery holders, based on semi-structured interviews. Respondents provided data on the organisation of production, production techniques, production costs, and sales revenues. There were two types of nurseries: individual nurseries and collective nurseries. The stages of acacia seedlings production were as follows: seed collection, dormancy breaking, sowing, and cares for young seedlings. Overall, the production techniques used by nursery holders were effective. The net revenue for 1000 seedlings ranged between XOF 9000 and 26000. Collective nurseries had lower production costs, hence higher revenues, compared to individual nurseries. It is essential to support nursery holders through capacity strengthening training and the availability of good quality seeds.

Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) seedlings are one of the most produced planting material in Serbian nurseries. In this study we compared a field performance of two container stocktypes, one usually used (2+0 produced in Plantagrah I) and one recently introduced (1+0 produced in Hiko V120 SS). The trial was established at planting site Vlaško polje (East Serbia), at altitude of 840 m a.s.l., one year following the total destruction of previous pine plantation by ice. One-year-old Austrian pine seedlings produced in Hiko containers show similar initial height and root collar diameter at planting time as two-year-old seedlings produced in traditionally used Plantagrah I containers. There was no vegetation control at field trial during the first growing season. At the end of the first growing season, taller (15.6 cm) and more slender (H/D=4.5) 1+0 seedlings from Hiko containers survived at higher rate, and shorter (10.9 cm) and more stocky seedlings 2+0 produced in Plantagrah I grow in height at higher rate. Seedlings taller at the planting time kept their advantage in size after the first growing season at the field. We found that both stocktypes can be used in operational planting programs on sites with lack of vegetation control.

Seedlings are the foundation for many terrestrial ecosystems and are a critical consideration and investment for implementing global forest and landscape restoration programs. Global leaders have pledged to restore millions of hectares during the next decade, necessitating many millions of established plants. Although natural regeneration and direct seeding will likely meet a portion of that need, large quantities of high-quality, nursery-grown seedlings are also required. Insufficient plant quantities or poor-quality plants result in unsuccessful outplanting programs. Such failures have considerable economic and environmental consequences and will result in an inability to meet restoration goals. Nonetheless, the importance of restoration nurseries is often overlooked when making large-scale restoration commitments. Technology already exists to produce high-quality plants to meet a variety of goals. This technology cannot be applied, however, unless adequate resources and training are made available by overcoming political and socioeconomic barriers. In this article, we discuss the important role of nurseries to meet global restoration commitments and review three case studies where increased support to nursery programs resulted in improved restoration success.

During a three-year survey in 14 forest nurseries in Serbia we measured seedlings of 19 species and 96 stocktypes of both conifers and broadleaves. Seedlings were measured in the nurseries for height and diameter, and subsamples was taken for measurements of shoot and root dry weight, and presence of mycorrhiza. Results of mean values and variation of measured morphological attributes are presented and compared to Serbian standard for seedlings quality. We found mycorrhiza on seedlings root from almost every nursery, seedbed and tray. Our results show that current nursery cultural practice need to be improved and that seedlings quality standards should be updated.

Autochthonous poplar species were neglected during the intense establishment of plantations using various selected clones. This paper presents the results of seedlings quality comparison of two autochthonous poplars and three clones of poplar (129/81, I-214 and PE 19/66) in order to determine capabilities for mass production of autochthonous poplar seedlings. The seedlings of clone 129/81 have the largest diameter and height, and the seedlings of black poplar shows the smallest values. Seedlings of gray poplar have similar values as seedlings of clone PE 19/66, except diameter on 1 m above the ground. Clone I–214 shows least values relative to seedlings of other two clones. The results obtained in this study indicate the possibility of mass production of autochthonous poplar seedlings. Considering that the seedlings are used primarily for the purposes of conservation, the existing manufacturing technology, as well as the applicable standards of quality seedlings, which are used for highly productive clones of poplar, should be adapted to the production of a large number of genotypes.

The forest has always played a big part in Belarus. At present it covers about 40% of area of the country`s territory. Predominantly the forests are of natural origin. The main species are Pinus sylvestris L. (Scotch pine), Betula pendula Roth (European white birch) and Picea abies (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce). The other valuable species are Quercus robur L (English oak), Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. (European alder), Larix decidua Mill. (European larch), Abies alba Mill. (Silver fir). The history of the forest management in Belarus showed that over last 150 years the enormous damage to the qualitative and quantitative composition of forests had been made by wars and reconstruction of destroyed industry. The taken reforestation measures allowed to increase the forest area significantly, however, the work on improving of forests` quality requires further development. At present the artificial forest regeneration prevails in the republic. Over the past five years the volumes of established forest plantations range from 21 to 25 thousand hectares annually, the areas of assistance to the natural regeneration - from 4 to 6 thousand hectares annually. By now there are about 1,700 ha of the forest seed orchards, 2,795 plus trees and 1,125 ha of the plus stands in the republic. The cultivation of planting stock for needs of reforestation is carried out on 73 forest tree nurseries with a total area of 1,440 ha. Annually over the last five years there were grown from 270 to 317 million seedlings and transplants, among them 30-35 million seedlings were grown in greenhouses and about 6 million were container seedlings. In order to improve the gene resource and thereby to increase the productivity and quality of future forests, the tendency of forest plantations` prevalence in the reforestation process of Belarus should remain, but in this case the volumes of partial forest plantations should be increased.

The history of reforestation in Slovakia is long and rich; from reforestation by seeding, through the small forest nurseries, reforestation of extreme degraded and high-mountain sites to the current The Act on forest reproductive material, nursery centers and reforestation of large windthrow areas. After brief introduction of the history, rather large part of this review is dedicated to the current nursery and especially reforestation practices – planning, pre-planting site preparation, seeding and planting techniques, post-planting care, monitoring of planting performance. Recent nursery and planting research activities are given very shortly. Perspective nursery (e.g. improvement of seedlings’ quality by inoculation with beneficial microorganisms, vegetative propagation) and reforestation treatments and practices (e.g. the use of larger amount of container-grown seedlings, application of hydrogels and ectomycorrhizal fungi, progressive seeding technique, underplanting) are relatively in detail but of course not comprehensively discussed finally. Despite of the lack of a complex reforestation strategy and current and possibly future financial sources and personnel limitations, the introduced perspective practices should contribute to successful solution of reforestation challenges following from endangering the forests by climate change.