TEST OF ALTERNATIVE NURSERY PROPAGATION CONDITIONS FOR LUPINUS ELEGANS KUNTH PLANTS, AND EFFECTS ON FIELD SURVIVAL

Abstract

Under ecological restoration conditions that impair plant establishment from seed, the use of nursery propagated plants is recommended despite the increased cost. Lupinus elegans is a short-lived perennial legume that has potential for use in restoration and reclamation projects within its distribution range in North America. Nursery container size and age at transplant are key variables influencing survival under field conditions. Our results indicate that plants grown in containers within the volume range of 310 to 380 cm³ fertilized every week with 24 mg of fertilizer per plant, are adequate for propagating L. elegans under nursery conditions. Optimal seedling age at transplant was three months old because it allowed the highest survival rates under field conditions.