Forest restoration depends on producing seedlings able to convert nursery inputs into functional traits that persist after outplanting. This study evaluated whether contrasting nursery resource-management profiles, derived from container volume, fertilization, and irrigation, shaped seedling quality and field establishment of Pinus devoniana. Seedlings were conditioned for six months under eight profiles and validated during one year under field conditions. Nursery evaluation included morphology, biomass allocation, Dickson Quality Index (DQI), nutrient status, and proline; field validation included survival, growth, ectomycorrhization, stomatal density, and lignification. Profiles differed significantly in root collar diameter, height, root biomass, total biomass, root–shoot ratio, and DQI. The 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile produced the highest integrated quality, with 140.9% more root biomass than the weakest root profile and 144.3% higher DQI than the lowest-quality profile. Nitrogen- and proline-separated nutrient and stress responses showed that higher nutrient status did not always imply lower stress. Field survival reached its highest value under the 5 L fertilized and irrigated profile, exceeding several 1 L profiles by 74.8%. DQI was positively associated with field survival (r = 0.71, p = 0.048), supporting a nursery-to-field carry-over effect. The findings highlight rooting space as a leverage point for improving reforestation outcomes.

Teak plantations are widely promoted as productive forest systems with potential contributions to carbon storage and climate-oriented land management. However, plantation carbon estimates often rely on generic biomass-to-carbon conversion factors, which may overlook variation in carbon concentration among tree components. This study refined carbon estimates in tropical teak plantations in Nayarit, western Mexico, by combining pantropical allometry with measured carbon fractions. Carbon concentration was determined in leaves, branches, stem, roots, and total biomass, and carbon stocks were compared using the generic 0.47 factor and measured total biomass carbon fractions. Carbon concentration differed among biomass components, with leaves and branches remaining below 47%, while stem, roots, and total biomass exceeded this value. The measured total biomass carbon fraction averaged 48.24%, producing refined carbon estimates that were consistently higher than those obtained with the generic factor. Across plantation-age records, the refined approach increased carbon estimates by 1.33 Mg C ha⁻¹, equivalent to a mean relative adjustment of 2.67%. When projected as an illustrative scenario, this difference represented 133, 665, and 1330 Mg C over 100, 500, and 1000 ha, respectively. These findings show that measured carbon fractions can reduce one source of conversion-related uncertainty and refine plantation-level carbon estimates. Broader regional application would require larger and more representative plantation inventories.