Biomass Production and Nitrogen Recovery after Fertilization of Young Loblolly Pines

Abstract

Ammonium nitrate applied at rates of 112 and 224 kg of N/ha in successive years to different areas of a young loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation increased aboveground biomass by 25% and N accumulation by 30%. Fertilization at plantation age 3 resulted in significantly greater biomass and N accumulations in the pine; fertilization at age 4 caused greater accumulations of biomass and N in the herbaceous fraction. These differences are related to changes in the composition of the herbaceous species. Fertilization had little effect on distribution of biomass or N within the pine component of the system. Comparable but generally small proportions of applied N were recovered in the aboveground vegetation in spite of twofold differences in quantities of applied N and threefold differences in biomass development. Nitrogen recovery was influenced only by the frequency of N application.

Keywords

Pinus taeda L., forest fertilization, nutrient cycling

Citation

Baker, J. B.; Switzer, G. L.; Nelson, L. E. 1974. Biomass Production and Nitrogen Recovery after Fertilization of Young Loblolly Pines. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 38(6):958-961.