Sustainable Substrates for Containerized Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Seedlings

The paper investigates the influence of different types of substrates on biometric characteristics of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings grown in containers with a closed root system (CRS).Container cassettes were developed according to the authors' own drawings, and five types of substrates with different structures and compositions, with the addition of organic and mineral components, were used for the experiment.Seedling growth and development were evaluated by key biometric parameters such as plant height and needle length.The germination percentage was also evaluated.As a result of the study, the most optimal composition of the developed substrate was identified.The developed substrate, including local organic components (coniferous fall and humus) and top peat, allowed to reduce the use of peat by 17.5-22.5%.Germination on the experimental substrate averaged 70.9%; seedling height was 3.800.30cmand needle length 1.700.03cm,comparable to commercial controls.Seedling height differed significantly between the experimental and less effective formulations (p < 0.05), and needle length differed significantly from industrial peat substrates (p < 0.05).By lowering peat consumption, the proposed mix can lessen pressures on peatland ecosystems and carbon stocks, thereby improving the environmental sustainability of reforestation nurseries.Local organic components were sourced from the Chaldai Forest in eastern Pavlodar Region, at the southern margin of the relict ribbon pine forest.