title: Soil type affects Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum (Pinaceae) seedling growth in simulated drought experiments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Effects of drought stress and media type interactions on growth of Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum germinants were investigated. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soil properties and growth responses under drought were compared across four growth media types: two native soils (dolomitic limestone and granite), a soil-less industry standard conifer medium, and a custom-mixed conifer medium. After 35 d of growth, the seedlings under drought stress (reduced watering) produced less shoot and root biomass than watered control seedlings. Organic media led to decreased root biomass, but increased root length and shoot biomass relative to the mineral soils. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Media type affected root-to-shoot biomass partitioning of P. ponderosa var. scopulorum, which may influence net photosynthetic rates, growth, and long-term seedling survival. Further work should examine how specific soil properties like bulk density and organic matter influence biomass allocation in greenhouse studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210 USA.
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Washington & Jefferson College, 60 South Lincoln Street, Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 USA.
authors.forename: Jason S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kilgore
keywords: Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum; greenhouse; growth media; ponderosa pine; seedling growth; soil