Foliar responses to fertilization identify nutrient limitation in loblolly pine

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Valentine ◽  
H. Lee Allen
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Limitation ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Phosphorus Limitation ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Foliar Phosphorus ◽  
Foliar Nutrient

Postfertilization patterns of fascicle weight and foliar nutrient concentration can diagnose nutrient limitation and stem growth response of coniferous species that have one annual needle flush. We tested this approach on loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.), a species with several annual growth flushes, by using only foliage from the first annual growth flush following fertilization. We analyzed the responses of foliage weight and nutrient concentrations to a 4 × 3 factorial application of nitrogen (0–336 kg/ha) and phosphorus (0–56 kg/ha), and used the results to predict growth limitation. Nitrogen fertilization increased fascicle weight and foliar nitrogen concentration in eight of the nine study sites, implying nitrogen limitation. Phosphorus fertilization increased fascicle weight and foliar phosphorus concentration in three sites, implying phosphorus limitation. Two- and 4-year diameter growth response data generally supported these predictions. Diameter growth responded to nitrogen or nitrogen plus phosphorus in all predicted sites, but the technique failed to identify phosphorus limitation in one site and nitrogen plus phosphorus limitation in another. Growth response predictions based on initial foliar nutrient concentrations or foliar responses to fertilization were equally accurate. The greater expense of using the foliar response method may not be justified in operational assessments of forest nutrition.

Magnitude, Duration, and Economic Analysis of Loblolly Pine Growth Response Following Bedding and Phosphorus Fertilization

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Gent ◽  
H. L. Allen ◽  
Robert G. Campbell ◽  
C. G. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Rotation Age ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Lower Coastal Plain

Abstract Thirteen-year growth of planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) was examined on 9 poorly drained Lower Coastal Plain sites following bedding and/or application of phosphorus (P) at time of planting. Fertilization dramatically increased height and diameter growth during the first 13 years on all 9 study sites. Height and diameter growth were consistently better in fertilized and bedded plots than in flat-planted, bed-only, and fertilizer-only plots. Comparisons of height growth curves indicate that differences between fertilized and nonfertilized plots are continuing. Foliar and soil P levels in fertilized plots at age 13 suggest that growth on these sites may be increased by additional applications of P. Projection of response to rotation age indicates that the combination of fertilization and bedding results in the greatest total cubic-foot volume and after-tax net present value. South. J. Appl. For. 10:124-28, Aug. 1986.

scholarly journals Characterization of Foliar Macro- and Micronutrient Concentrations and Ratios in Loblolly Pine Plantations in the Southeastern United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine M. Albaugh ◽  
Leandra Blevins ◽  
H. Lee Allen ◽  
Timothy J. Albaugh ◽  
Thomas R. Fox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Variable Element ◽  
Foliar Nutrient

Abstract Foliar nutrient concentration data collected from pretreatment foliage samples in regional trials extending across the southeastern United States provided a large data set useful for characterizing baseline loblolly pine nutrition for the native range of this species. The range and distribution of the foliar nutrient concentrations and their ratios to nitrogen (N) were characterized using descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Data were collected from a total of 2,663 measurement plots from 110 studies. Manganese (Mn) was the most variable element (coefficient of variation [CV] = 52%), and N exhibited the least variability (CV = 11%). Nitrogen, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), and the ratios P:N, K:N, calcium (Ca):N, Mg:N, S:N, and zinc (Zn):N were normally distributed. Calcium, Mn, Zn, boron (B), and the ratios Mn:N, B:N, and Cu:N were significantly non-normal, with positively skewed distributions. Baseline N, P, and S concentrations and the P:N and S:N ratios were considered potentially limiting to growth, as only the upper quartile of studies achieved the currently accepted adequate values for loblolly pine. Boron could be interpreted as being in sufficient supply or potentially limiting to growth, depending on the adequate value used for comparison. The remaining elements and their ratios to N were within the range of sufficiency reported for other conifers. Target concentrations for S and B and their ratios to N require further investigation, as the recommended values for loblolly pine may be too high.

scholarly journals Factors Contributing to Variability in Loblolly Pine Foliar Nutrient Concentrations

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Colbert ◽  
H. Lee Allen
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Field Sampling ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Coefficients Of Variation ◽  
Percent Recovery ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Variability in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) foliar nutrient concentrations was partitioned into field sampling and laboratory components using data from 43 midrotation, site-prepared stands in the southeastern United States. Foliar nutrient concentrations were normally distributed; N and P concentrations averaged 1.06% and 0.100%, respectively. Coefficients of variation (CV) for individual studies ranged from 3.4 to 8.5% for N and 3.7 to 12.2% for P. Accuracy and precision of nutrient determinations exhibited practical and statistical variability among laboratories examined; average CV ranged from 1.6 to 6.9% for N and from 1.2 to 17.9% for P. A majority of laboratories achieved percent recovery [(observed ÷ known) x 100] ± 5% and CV ≤ 5% for most elements, suggesting these levels are achievable given present quality assurance (QA) technology. Field sampling accounted for 71 and 86% of the total variation in foliar N and P concentrations, respectively. Field sampling guidelines suggested to reduce the introduction of extraneous variation include careful attention to sampling season, crown class and position, foliage age, and growth flush. South. J. Appl. For. 20(1):45-52.

Growth and foliar nutrient response to fertilization and precommercial thinning in a coastal western red cedar stand

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 764-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance A. Harrington ◽  
Charles A. Wierman
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Dicalcium Phosphate ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Foliar Nitrogen ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Western Red Cedar

Seven silvicultural treatments were applied to a young (15- to 20-year-old), naturally regenerated western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn ex D. Don) stand growing on a poor-quality site in western Washington. The treatments were as follows: unthinned, unfertilized (untreated); unthinned, fertilized with ammonium nitrate, dicalcium phosphate, and potassium sulfate; thinned, unfertilized; thinned, fertilized with urea; thinned, fertilized with ammonium nitrate; thinned, fertilized with ammonium nitrate and dicalcium phosphate; and thinned, fertilized with ammonium nitrate, dicalcium phosphate, and potassium sulfate. Elemental application rates were 300 kg nitrogen, 100 kg phosphorus, 129 kg calcium, 100 kg potassium, and 41 kg sulfur per hectare. Growth and foliar nutrient concentrations were monitored for 5 years. Five-year height growth and diameter growth of the 20 tallest trees per 0.08-ha measurement plot were both substantially greater in all thinned or fertilized treatments than in the unthinned, unfertilized treatment. The three best treatments for height growth (the treatments containing ammonium nitrate and dicalcium phosphate) had 65% more growth than the unthinned, unfertilized treatment. The two best treatments for diameter growth (thinned, fertilized with ammonium nitrate and dicalcium phosphate) had 106% more growth than the unthinned, unfertilized treatment. The effects of thinning alone were small compared with the effects of fertilization alone or fertilization combined with thinning. Initial foliar nitrogen concentrations showed that the site was nitrogen deficient, and both nitrogen sources, urea and ammonium nitrate, increased growth. The addition of dicalcium phosphate resulted in significantly greater incremental growth above that attributed to nitrogen alone, but the further addition of potassium sulfate did not increase growth significantly. Increases in foliar nitrogen and phosphorus associated with fertilization were still evident 5 years after treatment. All sizes of trees responded to treatment, and growth of the total stand followed the same trends as for the 20 tallest trees per plot. Basal area growth on an absolute basis was best in the unthinned, fertilized treatment (more than twice that of the unthinned, unfertilized treatment) and on a percent basis was best in the thinned treatment fertilized with ammonium nitrate, dicalcium phosphate, and potassium sulfate.

Soil and pine foliage nutrient responses 15 years after competing-vegetation control and their correlation with growth for 13 loblolly pine plantations in the southern United States

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2412-2425 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H Miller ◽  
H Lee Allen ◽  
Bruce R Zutter ◽  
Shepard M Zedaker ◽  
Ray A Newbold
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Foliar Nutrition ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Nutrient Contents ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
Plantation Development ◽  
Pinus Taeda L

Influences of competition-control treatments on long-term soil and foliar nutrition were examined using a regional data set (the Competition Omission Monitoring Project) that documents loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation development for 15 years after early intensive woody and (or) herbaceous control. Examined were trends for macro nutrients in soils sampled at years 0 and 15 and in pine foliage at years 2, 6, and 15 and their correlations with one another and with pine growth. Early control treatments resulted in distinct plantation successional patterns with contrasting herbaceous and woody components, all under pine-dominated canopies. There was an overall decrease in soil nutrient concentrations after 15 years of pine-plantation management, while C, N, and Ca decreased most after vegetation control. Early herbaceous treatments resulted in significantly less foliar N and K at year 15 as well. Foliar nutrient contents and fascicle mass at year 2 tended to be better correlated with year-15 pine volume than values at year 6 or year 15. Year-15 P concentrations had the strongest correlations between soil and foliar nutrient levels (r = 0.71–0.77). By year 15, intensive pine culture and vegetation control had placed demands on soil nutrient supplies to support enhanced growth that have not yet been replaced.

Loblolly Pine Response to Bedding and Fertilization Varies by Drainage Class on Lower Atlantic Coastal Plain Sites

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. McKee ◽  
L. P. White
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Atlantic Coastal Plain ◽  
Phosphorus Fertilization ◽  
Differential Growth ◽  
Drainage Class ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Atlantic Coastal

Abstract Growth response of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) to bedding and phosphorus fertilization was determined on three sites classified as moderately well, somewhat poorly, and poorly drained. Ten-year growth in terms of height and diameter showed a pronounced response to treatments on the poorly drained site but only a small response on the other sites on which competition was eliminated as a factor in all treatments. Bedding and fertilization interacted only on the poorly drained site where response to bedding was most pronounced. Our projection of height over age curves for individual treatments suggest that response to phosphorus alone may compare favorably with bedding plus phosphorus after the pines are about age 20 on the poorly drained site. Nutrient concentration in foliage alone was not indicative of the differential growth response to fertilizer obtained over drainage classes.

Fascicle nutrient and biomass responses of young loblolly pine to control of woody and herbaceous competitors

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 917-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
B R Zutter ◽  
J H Miller ◽  
H L Allen ◽  
S M Zedaker ◽  
M B Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Competition Study ◽  
Foliar Nutrient ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Herbaceous Weed Control ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Positive Effect

Individual fascicle mass and foliar nutrient content and concentration of young loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were evaluated on 13 locations of a regionwide competition study in the southeastern United States. The study included a factorial combination of two levels of herbaceous weed control treatment (none, treated) and two levels of woody treatment (none, treated) following site preparation. At pine age 2 years, herbaceous treatment (HT) and woody treatment (WT) had a positive effect on individual fascicle biomass and content of N, P, and K at nearly all and at least half of the locations, respectively. In general, these effects mirrored responses noted for seedling diameter and height. N concentration increased and P concentration decreased at about half of the locations, while Ca and Mg concentrations decreased on nearly all locations with HT. By age 6 years, effects of HT and WT on fascicle mass and nutrient concentrations and contents became neutral or more neutral across the locations. This is attributed in part to the greater nutrient demand of larger crop pines and associated competition components. A notable exception from neutral effects at age 6, typically occurring on sites with high levels of woody vegetation, was the positive response in K concentration or content and negative response in Ca and Mg concentrations with WT.

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