Research
;)
The following independent research articles involving field trials of the Root Production Method have been published over the last 8 years. They reflect the close collaboration RPM's founder, Wayne Lovelace, has established with the University of Missouri and forestry researchers around the United States.
Tree Establishment in Floodplain Agroforestry Practices
[ read abstract] [download article]
Abstract
A study was performed to compare the performance of 1-0 bareroot seedlings and three
and five gallon RPM seedlings in floodplain cropfields, while simultaneously
experimenting with the effects of soil mounding and cover crops. Although rabbit
activity prevented the full recovery of data for this study, significant findings were
evident. Basal diameter of RPM seedlings was significantly greater three years after
outplanting than that of bareroot seedlings. RPM seedlings maintained a 94% survival
rate in the third year. Whereas the survival rate of bareroot Swamp White Oak seedlings
was 76%, and the Pin Oak seedlings was recorded at 54%. It was determined that
planting large RPM stock size seedlings in a redtop grass cover is the most promising
method of establishing hard mast trees in floodplain agroforests.
Other Findings
- There was no significant difference between 3 gallon and 5 gallon RPM stock
performance. Additionally, there was no significant difference between RPM
Swamp White Oak and Pin Oak performance.
- Successful tree establishment is crucial for many agroforestry practices such as
riparian buffer strips, windbreaks, alley cropping and silvopasture.
- Planting trees for such agroforestry practices in floodplains is particularly difficult
due to competition, animal herbivory of seedlings, flooding and saturated soils.
- Due to these difficulties, landowners prefer planting oaks (Quercus), black walnut
(Julgans nigra), pecans and hickories (Carya) to encourage natural regeneration
and vegetation management.
- Results indicate that soil mounding did not have a significant effect on the
seedlings.
- Planting with a redtop grass cover was successful in controlling other competing
vegetation, in addition to limiting wildlife browse.
A study was performed to compare the performance of 1-0 bareroot seedlings and three
and five gallon RPM seedlings in floodplain cropfields, while simultaneously
experimenting with the effects of soil mounding and cover crops. Although rabbit
activity prevented the full recovery of data for this study, significant findings were
evident. Basal diameter of RPM seedlings was significantly greater three years after
outplanting than that of bareroot seedlings. RPM seedlings maintained a 94% survival
rate in the third year. Whereas the survival rate of bareroot Swamp White Oak seedlings
was 76%, and the Pin Oak seedlings was recorded at 54%. It was determined that
planting large RPM stock size seedlings in a redtop grass cover is the most promising
method of establishing hard mast trees in floodplain agroforests.
Other Findings
- There was no significant difference between 3 gallon and 5 gallon RPM stock
performance. Additionally, there was no significant difference between RPM
Swamp White Oak and Pin Oak performance.
- Successful tree establishment is crucial for many agroforestry practices such as
riparian buffer strips, windbreaks, alley cropping and silvopasture.
- Planting trees for such agroforestry practices in floodplains is particularly difficult
due to competition, animal herbivory of seedlings, flooding and saturated soils.
- Due to these difficulties, landowners prefer planting oaks (Quercus), black walnut
(Julgans nigra), pecans and hickories (Carya) to encourage natural regeneration
and vegetation management.
- Results indicate that soil mounding did not have a significant effect on the
seedlings.
- Planting with a redtop grass cover was successful in controlling other competing
vegetation, in addition to limiting wildlife browse.
Restoration of Hard Mast Species for Wildlife in Missouri
[ read abstract] [download article]
no abstract available
Comparing Natural and Artificial Methods for Establishing Pin Oaks
[ read abstract] [download article]
Abstract
This article compares the survival rate and growth rate of Pin Oaks as underplanted
acorns, bareroot seedlings, and RPM seedlings outplanted in the Greentree Resevoirs
within the Mingo Basin in southeastern Missouri. All three seedling types were planted
in controlled areas that provided environments both with and without ground flora
control. The RPM trees of approximately the same age as the bareroot seedlings had a
greater basal diameter and height at time of planting. After one year RPM seedlings
maintained the highest survival rate of 87% without ground flora control and 77% with
flora control. Although the study did demonstrate that controlling ground flora did not
significantly affect seedling diameter, height or growth, RPM trees did maintain similar
survival rates in both environments.
Other Findings
- RPM seedlings and the other seedling types grew at the same rate with and
without an understory.
- Only one year of growth was recorded in this study.
This article compares the survival rate and growth rate of Pin Oaks as underplanted
acorns, bareroot seedlings, and RPM seedlings outplanted in the Greentree Resevoirs
within the Mingo Basin in southeastern Missouri. All three seedling types were planted
in controlled areas that provided environments both with and without ground flora
control. The RPM trees of approximately the same age as the bareroot seedlings had a
greater basal diameter and height at time of planting. After one year RPM seedlings
maintained the highest survival rate of 87% without ground flora control and 77% with
flora control. Although the study did demonstrate that controlling ground flora did not
significantly affect seedling diameter, height or growth, RPM trees did maintain similar
survival rates in both environments.
Other Findings
- RPM seedlings and the other seedling types grew at the same rate with and
without an understory.
- Only one year of growth was recorded in this study.
Restoring Oaks in the Missouri River Floodplain
[ read abstract] [download article]
Abstract
This study was conducted in two conservation areas; Smoky Waters and Plowboy Bend
in order to determine a way for a component of Pin Oaks and Swamp White Oaks on
agricultural bottomlands along the Lower Mississippi River. This study compared the
success of two RPM stock types, (seedlings in three and five gallon containers), to that of
1-0 bareroot seedlings in various conditions, including planting in soil mounds and
controlling competition with a Redtop Grass (Agrostis alba). The two RPM stock type
seedlings were planted in November 1999, and the bareroot seedlings were planted in
Spring 2000. RPM seedlings maintained a high survival rate for all stock types with little
to no mortality, whereas 5-7% of the bareroot seedlings died within the first year. It was
determined that soil mounding and the implementation of a cover crop did not increase
RPM seedling survival or growth rate in the first year after outplanting.
Other Findings
- RPM seedlings had a greater height and basal diameter than that of the bareroot
seedlings, which had negligible diameter growth and negative height growth due
to shoot dieback and resprouting.
- Both three gallon and five gallon RPM stock types maintained a similar field
performance regardless of species.
- A small group of Swamp White Oak seedlings produced viable acorns within the
first year – it has been demonstrated that larger Swamp White Oak seedlings had
a greater chance of early acorn production.
- At the time of this study it was too early to determine if stock type, species, soil
mounding or cover crops improved oak regeneration with increased competition
and flooding.
- Recommended methods of oak regeneration include the diversification of native
forests on abandoned crop fields, the incorporation of oaks and nut trees in
agroforestry operations and finally the continued use of oaks and other nut trees in
conservation and restoration projects.
This study was conducted in two conservation areas; Smoky Waters and Plowboy Bend
in order to determine a way for a component of Pin Oaks and Swamp White Oaks on
agricultural bottomlands along the Lower Mississippi River. This study compared the
success of two RPM stock types, (seedlings in three and five gallon containers), to that of
1-0 bareroot seedlings in various conditions, including planting in soil mounds and
controlling competition with a Redtop Grass (Agrostis alba). The two RPM stock type
seedlings were planted in November 1999, and the bareroot seedlings were planted in
Spring 2000. RPM seedlings maintained a high survival rate for all stock types with little
to no mortality, whereas 5-7% of the bareroot seedlings died within the first year. It was
determined that soil mounding and the implementation of a cover crop did not increase
RPM seedling survival or growth rate in the first year after outplanting.
Other Findings
- RPM seedlings had a greater height and basal diameter than that of the bareroot
seedlings, which had negligible diameter growth and negative height growth due
to shoot dieback and resprouting.
- Both three gallon and five gallon RPM stock types maintained a similar field
performance regardless of species.
- A small group of Swamp White Oak seedlings produced viable acorns within the
first year – it has been demonstrated that larger Swamp White Oak seedlings had
a greater chance of early acorn production.
- At the time of this study it was too early to determine if stock type, species, soil
mounding or cover crops improved oak regeneration with increased competition
and flooding.
- Recommended methods of oak regeneration include the diversification of native
forests on abandoned crop fields, the incorporation of oaks and nut trees in
agroforestry operations and finally the continued use of oaks and other nut trees in
conservation and restoration projects.