Effect of age and planting site on survival and growth of seedlings of Juniperus thurifera L

The aim of this study was to compare the survival and growth of 1-year old seedlings of Juniperus thurifera grown in containers in two volumes (200 ml and 300 ml) versus 2-years old plants grown in containers of 300 ml of volume. Seedlings were cultivated from the same batch of seeds. In 2006, fertilization based in final nitrogen contribution, were implemented. Each seedling received a total of 135,05 mg of N, and 271 mg of N. During 2007, the same fertilization was applicated. The plants were planted in February 2008 in two different planting sites in central Spain, located at Monreal del Campo (Teruel) and the Sierra Buenhache (Cuenca), to study their development. Survival during the first year was 100% in all treatments at Monreal del Campo, while mortality of 1-year old seedlings grown in containers of 300 ml was significantly higher than the two other treatments at Buenhache. An appropriate nursery culture and choice of planting site affects the success of reforestation.