Root growth potential, seedling morphology and bud dormancy correlate with survival of loblolly pine seedlings planted in December in Alabama

First-year survival of December-planted loblolly pine seedlings sampled from 20 nurseries ranged from 36 to 96%. Various characteristics of the seedlings including root growth potential (RGP), shoot/root ratio, root weight, and stern length were correlated with survival. A regression model using the number of new roots >= 0.5 cm and the shoot/root ratio accounted for 80% of the variation in first-year survival. Alone, the number of new roots >= 0.5 cm accounted for 76% of the variation in survival. Foliar nutrients were not correlated with survival. Seedlings with a high proportion of quiescent buds at planting had a higher RGP and better survival than seedlings with dormant (endo-dormant) buds. The data suggest that seedlings with dormant buds should not be planted on sites where rapid new root growth is needed for survival.