QFD Approach in Surveying Technical Requirements for Forest Seedlings for Reforestation: A Case Study

Forests play a strategic role in global sustainability, and restoration is essential to meet ESG targets. Seedling quality strongly influences reforestation success, but standardized evaluation protocols are often lacking. This study aimed to identify and prioritize critical technical parameters of forest seedlings and determine the highest-priority factor affecting field performance. A total of 100 seedlings of Handroanthus impetiginosus and Sparattosperma leucanthum were evaluated using Quality Function Deployment (QFD), considering reforestation as the client to translate field performance requirements into nursery-level technical parameters. Seedling characteristics were compared to standards based on the literature and nursery best practices. QFD analysis revealed that stem thickness and integrity, absence of borers, well-developed and firm roots, and complete and healthy leaves were the most critical attributes. Hardiness, combining structural robustness, disease resistance, and vigor, emerged as the central factor. Observed non-conformities included disease (15%), stem bifurcations (10%), and substrate deficiencies (12%). These results demonstrate that QFD is an effective tool for systematically identifying and prioritizing seedling attributes. The study provides a structured approach for nursery evaluation and quality control, supporting informed decision-making to enhance the success of forest restoration projects.