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Growth and Wood Properties of Loblolly Pine on a Piedmont Subsoil as Influenced by Early Fertilization
Author(s) -
Van Lear D. H.,
Saucier J. R.,
Goebel N. B.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1973.03615995003700050040x
Subject(s) - human fertilization , loblolly pine , subsoil , fertilizer , nutrient , pinus <genus> , phosphorus , agronomy , coastal plain , potassium , biology , botany , horticulture , environmental science , soil water , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
A field study was conducted on an impoverished “borrow” area in the South Carolina Piedmont to determine the response of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) seedlings to various fertilizer treatments. Treatments were applied for 4 consecutive years to individual seedlings outplanted for 2 years. At the end of the fertilization period, seedlings receiving N, either alone or in combination with P and/or K, were significantly taller than seedlings in other treatments. Ten years after the last fertilizer application, trees treated with N, with or without other nutrients, averaged 0.6–1.6 m taller and 23–30% larger in diameter than control trees. Merchantable tree volume was at least doubled by N application. Phosphorus and potassium, at the rates used, had no effect on growth. Percentage latewood and wood specific gravity were not altered by fertilization.