Pinus massoniana seeding practices for forest restoration in China

FangChao Wang ,
FangChao Wang
Qiao Liu ,
Qiao Liu
Fusheng Chen ,
Fusheng Chen
G.Geoff Wang
G.Geoff Wang

Published: 01.12.2025.

Volume 0, Issue 21 (2026)

pp. 54-67;

https://doi.org/10.21750/refor.21.04.134

Abstract

Previous afforestation effort, much of which was accomplished with aerial seeding, restored Pinus massoniana Lamb. forests across more than 4 million ha of barren lands and difficult mountainous terrain in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China. This manuscript provides a review of literature reporting the factors that led to forest and site degradation, conventional practices and techniques used to widely establish forest cover of P. massoniana, and post-sowing and plantation management practices used to encourage development and growth of restored P. massoniana forests. Factors known to impede successful seeding of P. massoniana include poor seed quality, harsh soil and site conditions such as soil erosion and droughty soil, unpredictable and extreme weather or climatic events including drought, frost, or excessive rainfall, and insufficient site preparation or plantation maintenance. Procuring high-quality seed, conducting thorough site assessments, and implementing practices that effectively mitigate factors that limit seed germination, seedling establishment, and tree growth are key to successful P. massoniana seeding.

References

Cao, M., Pan, P., Ouyang, X., Zang, H., Ning, J., Guo, L., & Li, Y. (2018). Relationships between the composition and diversity of understory vegetation and environmental factors in aerially seeded Pinus massoniana plantations. Chin J Ecol, 37(1), 1–8.
Cheng, D. B., Cai, C., & Zuo, C. Q. (2006). Res Soil Water Conserv, 13(5), 252–254.
Ding, Y. (2012). Anhui Agric Bull, 18(6), 97–98.
Dong, L., Wu, W., & Lian, X. (2019). Analysis of the cultivation technology of horse-tailed pine seedlings. Farmers Staff, 7, 102.
Dou, X., Deng, Q., Li, M., Wang, W., Zhang, Q., & Cheng, X. (2013). Reforestation of Pinus massoniana alters soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics in eroded soil in south China. Ecological Engineering, 52, 154–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.12.099

Citation

Copyright

Article metrics

Google scholar: See link

The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Most read articles