The influence of growing medium composition on pine and birch seedling response during the period of simulated spring drought

Climate change increases the earliness and effect of spring dry spells. The efforts to reduce their negative effects on tree regeneration include improvement in physical properties soil aimed at an increase water retention availability. Clinoptilolite from group zeolites belongs among such water-absorbent natural materials. article aims assess clinoptilolite admixture a growing medium, along with different fertilizer concentration, growth pine birch seedlings development during simulated drought. A common (reference) medium was tested 4 treatments clinoptilolite. responded concentration more intensively than vulnerable drought damage due closer dependence physiological responses decrease moisture. onset withering slowest reference medium. positive addition confirmed but its unambiguously overcoming spells not demonstrated. higher rate found as fully unsuitable.