Introduction:

Regeneration of forest stands under management is one of the most relevant silvicultural practices for forest cultivation.

Objective:

To compare growth and water balance for both naturally regenerated and planted seedlings in Pinus patula Schltdl. & Cham. stands harvested with the seed tree method in the ejido Carbonero Jacales, Huayacocotla, Veracruz.

Materials and methods:

Four sites per stand with natural regeneration and planted seedlings were selected for paired comparison. Origin and age of seedlings were recorded at each site, water potential was measured throughout the day during the dry season in 2019, also annual height and diameter growth at the base of the stem during the period 2018-2019.

Results:

Naturally regenerated seedlings had significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher annual height growth (73.8 ± 12.29 cm) compared to planted seedlings (60.8 ± 12.39 cm); the same was for diameter at stem base (20.52 ± 3.51 vs. 14.76 ± 3.54 mm). Natural regeneration also showed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) diurnal water deficit recovery capacity (-0.90 MPa) compared to planted seedlings (-1.06 MPa).

Conclusion:

P. patula naturally regenerated seedlings had better annual growth and better physiological performance in root, which allowed a faster recovery to diurnal water deficit in foliage.