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Fertilization To Accelerate Loblolly Pine Foliage Growth For Erosion Control

Informally Refereed

Abstract

On the southern Coastal Plain, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) can be used to help control erosion because it produces abundant soil-protecting litter. The species requires several years to produce enough litter for adequate soil protection, but on loamy soils fertilization can reduce the time by a year or more. When five fertilizer combinations were tested, one application of N at 150 lb/acre together with P at 33 lb/acre, and K at 62 lb/acre was best. Seedlings fertilized with this combination produced 1.6 times the foliage weight of unfertilized seedlings through the first 2 years without decreased survival. Additions of N up to 300 lb/acre in several small applications may further stimulate foliage growth.

Keywords

Nitrogen, ureaform, phosphorus, potassium, ammonium nitrate, litter, Pinus taeda L.

Citation

Duffy, Paul D. 1977. Fertilization To Accelerate Loblolly Pine Foliage Growth For Erosion Control. Res. Note SO-230. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/2003