Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of drought in the western USA. Evidence suggests that drought preconditioning of plants may improve the survival of planted seedlings under dry conditions through enhanced water uptake by roots, but the mechanisms underlying enhanced survival under drought remain unknown. We tested whether the vertical distribution of roots in root plug cross-sections varied with drought preconditioning and seed source. We subjected western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) seedlings from eight different provenances to Low (50-65% gravimetric water content), Moderate (65-75%), and High (≥75%) watering regimes in a nursery. We then investigated dry root mass across four root-plug sections, including the taproot and three lateral root cross-sections (top 1/3rd, middle 1/3rd, and bottom 1/3rd of root plugs). We also tested for carry-over effect of drought preconditioning on the mass of egressed roots observed among cross-sections of potting soil in a 30-day potted study. Root plug mass varied significantly (P< 0.001) with watering regime, root plug cross-section, and an interaction between watering regime and cross-section. Overall, seedlings that received less water produced lateral root plug cross-sections of greater mass, which coincided with taproots of less mass. In contrast to findings from the root plug study, the distribution of egressed root mass among cross-sections of potting soil did not vary with drought preconditioning. This is the first study to assess seedling root growth in response to drought preconditioning in western larch with a focus on the distribution of root mass in root plugs and egressed root mass among soil cross-sections. We expect this work to facilitate future efforts to improve drought hardiness of western larch seedlings. Future improvement of western larch seedlings will require investigation into whether altered root plug mass distribution translates to improved seedling performance in outplanting trials.

The Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) is a species often used in afforestation/reforestation programs in Serbia and region. Seedlings quality has a great role in outplanting survival and growth. Nursery cultural practice has a central influence on seedlings morphological attributes, so we tested seedlings quality from different seedbed densities and seedlings patterns and their outplanting success. Two-year-old bareroot seedlings were grown in very high densities (110 seedlings m^-1 in rows and 750 seedlings m^-2 across all seedbed space) and high densities (65 seedlings m^-1 in rows and 450 seedlings m^-2 across all seedbed space). Morphological attributes (root collar diameter - RCD, height - H, sturdiness coefficient - SQ, root length – Rl, dry weight of shoot - SDW and root - RDW, shoot to root ration - S:R and quality index - QI) of seedlings from different densities were tested in the nursery before outplanting and compare with seedlings survival and growth (root collar diameter – RCD1 and height – H1) one year after field growing. Seedlings from different densities had accepted RCD (>3 mm) for field planting and there were significant differences in their morphological attributes, except Rl and S:R. The best survival was recorded at seedlings from highest seedbed densities (93.33%), opposite with many previous researches. Seedlings grown across all seedbed space (450 seedlings per m^-2) keep their advantage in growth after first year, although survival was lowest (46.67%).

Deforestation in Ghana has led to a forest loss of almost 20% from 9,924,000 ha in 1990 to 7,986,000 ha today. To restore degraded lands, Forest Landscape Restoration has become a critical approach globally. This study was conducted in Ghana focusing on the examples of two forest landscape restoration projects in the Pamu Berekum Forest Reserve: 10-year-old mixed-stands of two to four native tree species and an exotic species stands, including Triplochiton scleroxylon, Terminalia ivorensis, Ceiba pentandra, Nauclea diderrichii and Cedrela odorata at Pamu Berekum 1 and 4-year-old Tectona grandis and 2-year-old Gmelina arborea monoculture stands at Pamu Berekum 2. Estimates of productivity in the restored forests are described, as well as the effects of the restoration on provision of ecosystem service and benefits obtained by local communities. Stand productivity was assessed as mean annual increment of diameter and height, biomass production, and standing volume. For ecosystem services, carbon stocks were calculated for the restored forests; other ecological benefits, as well as financial benefits, were obtained through interviews with fringe communities. The results indicate that FLR can be implemented successfully using different models provided that local communities are involved during the planning and implementation of interventions. When all stands were projected to 10 years, results show higher productivity in T. grandis (331.77 m³ ha^-1) and G. arborea stands (1,785.99 m³ ha^-1) compared to mixed stand (160.41 m³ ha^-1). The Gmelina arborea stand was more productive and had higher carbon stocks (1,350.10 Mg ha^-1) relative to the T. grandis stand (159.89 Mg ha^-1). Both restoration projects were found to deliver important benefits and ecosystem services at the local and national levels, including direct and indirect benefits. The results provide an example for forest/environmental managers on how FLR might be implemented to create multiple benefits at different levels from local communities to the national level. Thus, these results may be useful for guiding successful restoration activities within the context of the ongoing global Forest Landscape Restoration efforts.

Species complex Fusarium sambucinum was frequently isolated from ash stands in Montenegro. Previous researches revealed that it is dangerous pathogen for one-year-old seedlings. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of temeperature on growth and morphological characteristics of morphotype isolated from one-year-old common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) seedlings in Montenegro. Growth of Fusarium sambucinum pure cultures on different temperatures was the fastest on 25°C while the absence of growth occurred on 32.5°C. Cultures on optimum temperature were white reddish, aerial and with a lot hyaline, curved multi septate conidia. This research covers basic ecological and morphological characteristics of Fusarium sambucinum strain responsible for high pathogenicity towards one-year-old common ash seedlings in Montenegro.

Investigation of different seed diseases of common ash has great significance due to occurrence of ash dieback across Europe caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus Baral, Queloz and Hosoya (T.Kowalski) and still not completely defined strategies about regeneration of this species. Species complex Diaporthe eres are familiar pathogens of common ash. During the monitoring of health condition of common ash in Montenegro Diaporthe eres was frequently isolated from common ash seeds. The aim of this research was to investigate temperature conditions that contribute to the growth of Diaporthe eres strains from Montenegro in infected seeds and histological characteristics of Diaporthe eres spread in seeds. Growth of Diaporthe eres pure cultures on tested temperatures showed the fastest growth on 25°C and the absence of growth on 35°C. Mechanical damage did not significantly contribute to occurrence of infection. Microscopic examination of heavy infected seeds showed that hyphae of D.eres were visible on outer parts of seed spreading inside the core. In this research we investigated some basic bio ecological characteristics of D. eres associated with decline of F. excelsior seed in Montenegro.

The "Forests in Women's Hands" project (Fem4Forest) has started in July 2020 and involves 14 partners from 10 countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ukraine). The project is funded under the Interreg Danube Transnational Program. The leading partner is the Forestry Institute of Slovenia. In Serbia, the project partner is the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Forestry, and the associated strategic partner is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management - Directorate for Forests.

Symptoms of disease were recorded on leaves of whitebeam (Sorbus aria (L.) Crantz) seedlings in one stand in Montenegro. Analysis showed fungi Ochrospora ariae (Fuckel) Ramsb. and Septoria sorbi Lasch were present on infected trees. Species Seporia sorbi was associated with necrotic reddish and brown spots while species Ochrospora ariae was associated with necrotic reddish spots and yellow pustule of uredinia on leaves. Species were recorded both separately and simultaneously on leaves. This is the first record of Ochrospora ariae and Seporia sorbi on whitebeam (Sorbus aria) in Montenegro. Results will contribute to better knowledge of diseases and better protection of whitebeam (Sorbus aria) in early stages of growth in this part of its areal.

Norway spruce is one of the most commonly used species for new forest planting in Europe. It is planted in a large number of habitats, often without following the previous results in the success of afforestation. In order to improve Norway spruce afforestation, open field tests were established in which developmental phenophases are monitored. The use of planting material of different provenances, which had not previously been tested for habitat conditions, was often the cause of the decline of newly planted forests. Early budburst of Norway spruce causes losses due to the freezing of terminal buds. Norway spruce testing for different habitat conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) was conducted at two ecologically different localities: Srebrenica (eastern part of B&H) and Drinić (western part of B&H). During 3 years, the budburst on the seedlings originating from 6 populations (Han Pijesak 1, Han Pijesak 2, Foča, Olovo, Kneževo and Potoci) was monitored. The budburst dynamics was monitored in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and it was recorded for each seedling in two progeny tests. Seedlings from the Kneževo population budbursted the earliest. The seedlings would start budburst on different days of the year, depending partly on the temperature sums and their origin. The earliest budburst was recorded in 2013 (119^th day of the year in Srebrenica and 121^st day of the year in Drinić). During 2015 and 2016, the budburst started later (125^th day in Srebrenica and 129^th day in Drinić). Temperature cumulants indicate that a smaller sum of temperatures was required for the buburst in the Srebrenica test than in the Drinić test. However, the temperature sums did not clearly indicate the budburst pattern because they were different for each observed year, but the populations ranking was almost the same. This indicates the influence of some other variables on the budburst. The knowing of the data on the budburst dynamics are a prerequisite for a successful selection of starting populations from which planting material is produced and new forests are later planted. Population Kneževo had the earliest budburst but population Han Pijesak 2 had the latest budburst.

The Dragon tree, Dracaena draco (L.) L., is an extremely threatened species. Its natural regeneration is disturbed and population appears to decrease rapidly. To design appropriate germination and seedling establishment protocols for a species conservation and restoration program, we studied the effects of pre-soaking, substrate and light availability treatment on seed germination for 15-day period. The condition for light availability corresponded to the sowing depth (at surface or at 2 cm depth). Germination occurred better in the dark when seeds were sown at 2 cm depth. Our results showed that D. draco seeds sown in the sand under dark condition and after 24 hours pre-soaking in warm water germinated better and recorded 82.5% of final germination percentage (FGP). However, seedlings grew better in potting soil and recorded 54 mm of length. The maximum FGP of 51.3% was recorded under light condition. These results indicate that sowing depth and light availability could be a limiting factor for D. draco seed germination in natural condition. Furthermore, the establishment of D. draco seedlings (shoot and root length) during an 8-week period in pots was also assessed and illustrated. More research on seed ecophysiology is required to understand the mechanisms controlling seed germination of D. draco in arid and semi-arid conditions viz. salinity and drought.

In this study we investigated the dynamics of growth and quality features of 1+0 Austrian Pine (AP; Pinus nigra Arn.), Scots Pine (SP; Pinus sylvestris L.) and Maritime Pine (MP; Pinus pinaster Aiton) seedlings in containers Yukosad (YS; hard plastic, 75cm³, 610 seedlings m^-2) and Siset (SS; gray cardboard with white coating, 128 cm³, 589 seedlings m^-2). The experiment, for all Pine species, was conducted in randomized blocks in four replications. Each replication contained 10 multipots of each container type. After the seed germination, every 15 days, i.e. 10 times during the vegetation season, 10 seedlings of each of 4 replications, i.e. 40 seedlings of each container and Pine species, were analyzed. The following morphological characteristics were measured: shoot height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), shoot dry weight (SDW), number, length and dry weight (RDW) of I, II and III order lateral roots (FOLR, SOLR and TOLR) and of the central root. Quality ratios and indexes were calculated. The dynamics of growth of selected features during the vegetation season was expressed as trend lines. AP and SP seedlings, grown in containers YS had higher values of almost all measured traits (SH, RCD, SDW, number, length and dry weight of FOLR, SOLR and TOLR). However, in AP, the SS seedlings had better values of quality indexes and ratios (SQ, DQI, SDW/RDW and RDW/SDW ratio), than YS seedlings. SP seedlings, except for SQ, had better quality indexes in YS container. MP seedlings, with some exceptions, have better above ground quality features in SS containers, while root systems don’t differ significantly in both containers. Root quality indicators (root intensity and root bound indexes) are more favorable in SS containers in all Pine species. The polynomial trend lines in AP and SP grow in similar way and intensity in both containers, gradually increasing during the vegetation season. MP seedlings differ in much more intensive growth of above ground features, especially in the half of the vegetative period in both containers, while during this period root quantity and length stagnates. Generally, the quality of AP and SP seedlings is more or less equal and satisfactory in both containers, while MP seedlings show slightly better results in SS container.