Effects of annual fertilization and complete competition control on current annual increment, foliar development, and growth efficiency of different aged Pinus taeda stands

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1728-1740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney E Will ◽  
Gregory T Munger ◽  
Yujia Zhang ◽  
Bruce E Borders

The effects that competing vegetation and nitrogen limitation have on the current annual increment (CAI), leaf biomass, and growth efficiency (GE) of different aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands planted on a Piedmont and lower Coastal Plain location in Georgia, U.S.A. were determined by measuring stands receiving a factorial combination of complete interspecific competition control and annual nitrogen fertilization. At the Piedmont location, CAI increased with age (5, 10, and 12 years) as well as fertilization (7.3–9.2 Mg·ha–1) and competition control (6.8–9.6 Mg·ha–1). The effects of fertilization on leaf biomass increased with stand age (no difference at age 5 to 1.5 Mg·ha–1 difference at age 12), while the effects of competition control on leaf biomass decreased with stand age (difference of 2.5 Mg·ha–1 at age 5 to difference of 1.6 Mg·ha–1 at age 12). At the Coastal Plain location, fertilization increased CAI from 10.3 to 14.8 Mg·ha–1. Leaf biomass increased with competition control (4.9–5.5 Mg·ha–1) and fertilization (4.4–6.0 Mg·ha–1). Leaf biomass increased with stand age for the fertilized stands (5.3–7.0 Mg·ha–1 between age 7 and 13) and decreased with stand age for nonfertilized stands (4.9–4.0 Mg·ha–1 between age 7 and 13). At the Coastal Plain location, fertilization increased the GE of the age-7 stands from 2.34 to 2.86 but decreased the GE of the age-13 stands from 2.32 to 2.14. In general, GE decreased as mean tree size increased indicating that changes in GE related to treatments may be confounded with changes in tree size. Results of this experiment emphasize the importance of nutrition on stand growth as fertilization increased leaf biomass and may increase stem production per unit of foliage at early stages of development.

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1076-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory T Munger ◽  
Rodney E Will ◽  
Bruce E Borders

To determine the importance of competition control and annual fertilization on leaf gas exchange, light-saturated net photosynthesis (Asat), stomatal conductance (gs), and internal CO2 concentration (Ci) were measured multiple times in different-aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands growing at a Piedmont (BF Grant) and Coastal Plain (Waycross) location in Georgia, U.S.A. At both locations, competition control decreased Asat and gs (Asat from 4.53 to 4.12 µmol·m–2·s–1, gs from 0.058 to 0.050 mol·m–2·s–1 at BF Grant; Asat from 4.22 to 4.01 µmol·m–2·s–1, gs from 0.054 to 0.049 mol·m–2·s–1 at Waycross). Overall, fertilization did not have a positive impact on Asat, even though fertilization significantly increased foliar nitrogen concentration. At BF Grant, fertilization significantly decreased gs from 0.057 to 0.051 mol·m–2·s–1 and Ci from 217 to 205 µmol·mol–1. In addition, the decrease in Ci associated with fertilization became larger with stand age. At Waycross, fertilization decreased Ci from 211 to 203 µmol·mol–1 and the interaction between fertilization and stand age was significant for gs and Ci. These results indicate that silivcultural practices that increase resource availability and stand growth did not enhance leaf gas exchange.


1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven A. Knowe ◽  
Larry R. Nelson ◽  
Dean H. Gjerstad ◽  
Bruce R. Zutter ◽  
Glenn R. Glover ◽  
...  

Abstract The effects of competition on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) development during the initial 4 years of a plantation were investigated on an Upper Coastal Plain site in east-central Alabama. Height and diameter response to competition control in relation to time following treatment and amount of herbaceous competition were examined. Trees on plots receiving broadcast weed control for 2 years were twice the height and diameter of trees with no weed control after 4 years, while trees receiving banded weed control for 2 years were 1.6 times taller and 1.75 times larger in diameter. Broadcast and banded 1-year treatments were 1.4 times larger in both measures.


Weed Science ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Britt ◽  
Bruce R. Zutter ◽  
Robert J. Mitchell ◽  
Dean H. Gjerstad ◽  
John F. Dickson

Three herbaceous regimes were established, using herbicides, to examine the effects of interference on growth and biomass partitioning in loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.). Trees were sampled near Auburn and Tallassee, AL. Trees at the Auburn site grown with low weed interference (LWI) had 4, 10, 10, 8, and 4 times greater total aboveground biomass than did trees with high weed interference (HWI) for ages one through five, respectively. Medium weed interference (MWI, Auburn site only) resulted in three times greater biomass the first 4 yr and two times greater total biomass by the fifth year compared to trees grown with HWI. Trees growing with LWI were 5, 8, 10, and 6 times larger than those with HWI for ages one through four, respectively, at the Tallassee site. At all levels of interference, the percentage of total biomass in foliage decreased, and stem and branch components increased, with increasing tree size at both sites. Trees growing with HWI had a lower percentage of total biomass in foliage and a greater percentage of total biomass in stem than those growing with LWI when compared over a common size. Growth efficiency per tree, expressed as annual increase in stem biomass per unit leaf area (g m−2), was slightly greater for trees growing with LWI compared to HWI when leaf area index (LAI3, total surface) was less than 0.2. For LAI values greater than 0.2 the relationship was reversed. The latter contradicts the idea that growth efficiency can be used as a measure of vigor for young loblolly pine. Changes in carbon partitioning to the development of leaf area are suggested to be driving the accelerated growth responses associated with a reduction of weed interference.


1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. McKee ◽  
Larry P. Wilhite

Abstract In three separate studies on the Lower Atlantic Coastal Plain, sites were sheared, root-raked, and bedded, and phosphorus was applied. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings were planted, and nitrogen fertilizer and preemergence herbicide were applied at several different times. In all three studies, loblolly pine responded positively in height, diameter, and aboveground biomass to herbicide applied in the spring following planting. Responses to nitrogen application were inconsistent. A pronounced increase in growth was found in only one study. There, a nitrogen and a herbicide treatment interacted to give a three-fold increase in aboveground seedling biomass after one growing season. The lack of response to nitrogen in the other two studies may be attributable to low rainfall in the spring after planting and mineralization of native nitrogen from soil organic matter. South. J. Appl. For. 12(1):33-36.


1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy B. Harrington ◽  
Jason A. Gatch ◽  
Terry S. Price

Abstract Twenty-four machine-planted stands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) of ages 3 to 10 yr were sampled near Athens, GA, to compare stem sinuosity, tree size, and pest injury of trees with bent versus straight taproots. Based on a 0- to 8-point index, the average level of stem sinuosity was medium (X = 2.6; n = 1,327 trees). Trees of high or low stem sinuosity index were identified near each of ten points per site, and one was selected to best represent each level (n = 240 pairs). Seventy-two pairs were excavated, and of these, 62 and 82 trees had bent and straight taproots, respectively. Levels of stem sinuosity were medium or high for 77% of trees with bent taproots, while they were low for 71% of trees with straight taproots (chi-square P = 0.001). Trees with bent taproots were 7% to 9% smaller in stem diameter and height, while their stem sinuosity index was over twice that of trees with straight taproots (P = 0.01). Taproot azimuth did not differ significantly (P > 0.20) from planting row azimuth, indicating that bent taproots from machine planting remained confined to the planting slit. Although biological mechanisms were not identified, results indicate a potentially problematic association between bent taproots and reduced stem quality of loblolly pine. South. J. Appl. For. 23(4):197-202.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey W. Martin ◽  
Barry D. Shiver

Abstract A designed study was established in the Coastal Plain of Georgia and northern Florida, and in the Piedmont of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama with the objectives of evaluating the impacts of first-generation genetic improvement and of combining genetic improvement and vegetation control on yields of loblolly pine. The two levels of competition control were either none, other than that provided by the operational mechanical site preparation, or complete competition control. Genetic treatments consisted of unimproved seed stock, bulk lot first-generation improved stock or single family first-generation improved stock. In terms of total volume, increases up to 45% (882 ft3/ac) and 39% (863 ft3/ac) were obtained from using complete vegetation control in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions, respectively. Improved genetic stock increased total volume an average of 11% (246 ft3/ac) to 16% (364 ft3/ac) in the Coastal Plain and 12% (277 ft3/ac) to 19% (445 ft3/ac) in the Piedmont for bulk lot and single families, respectively. For total volume, the effects of competition control and genetics were additive, indicating the managers should obtain the full benefit of these two treatments. In both regions, improved genetics significantly reduced the percent fusiform infection. In addition, no statistically significant differences were detected between bulk lot and single family plantings across all dependent variables. South. J. Appl. For. 26(1):37–42.


2017 ◽  
Vol 401 ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles M. Neaves ◽  
W. Michael Aust ◽  
M. Chad Bolding ◽  
Scott M. Barrett ◽  
Carl C. Trettin ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianwei Zhang ◽  
Martin W. Ritchie ◽  
Douglas A. Maguire ◽  
William W. Oliver

We analyzed 45 years of data collected from three ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) levels-of-growing-stock installations in Oregon (OR) and northern California (CA), USA, to determine the effect of stand density regimes on stand productivity and mortality. We found that periodic annual increment (PAI) of diameter, basal area (BA), volume, and aboveground dry mass were significantly related to stand density index (SDI) and stand age at start of the period; the quadratic trends varied among sites. Precipitation departure from the normal for each period explained a significant amount of residual variation in all PAI variables except diameter. BA production did not change significantly as SDI exceeded 270 trees·ha−1 at the OR sites and 320 trees·ha−1 at the CA site. Stand productivity was the highest at Elliot Ranch (CA) and the least at Blue Mountains (OR). A similar trend held in growth efficiency under lower stand densities (SDI < 600). Most of the mortality was caused by Dendroctonus bark beetles in stands that exceeded SDI of 500 trees·ha−1. Limiting SDI was about 900 trees·ha−1, although plots at Elliot Ranch reached much higher than that. The results demonstrate that silvicultural control of stand density can be a powerful tool for reducing bark beetle caused mortality without sacrificing stand productivity.


1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-87
Author(s):  
H. R. Powers

Abstract Seedlings of Livingston Parish (Louisiana) loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) have been widely used across the Gulf and south Atlantic Coastal Plain to reduce the damage caused by the fusiform rust disease. Since this seed-source material provided the first rust-resistant seedlings available to forestland managers, it was used wherever rust damage was heavy, in some cases into the Piedmont north of the recommended area of planting. This paper evaluates the performance of ten-year-old Livingston Parish trees in such an area. The rust resistance of the Livingston Parish trees was outstanding, with 83% being free of disease as compared with only 14% of the commercial controls. There was no difference in growth between the two groups of trees, and ice breakage was not significantly greater in the Livingston Parish trees. South. J. Appl. For. 10:84-87, May 1986.


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