Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nutrition Management: A Physiological Basis for Yield Improvement

  • Chapter
Seedling physiology and reforestation success

Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 14))

Abstract

As resources become more limiting, greater emphasis will be placed on nursery and forest nutritional management to achieve reliable reforestation, shorten rotations and improve marginal site productivity. Nursery fertilization with few adverse effects can increase production efficiency. Properly applied fertilizers increase seedling growth after outplanting and enhance seedling drought and cold-hardiness.

Forest fertilization during early stand age can exploit favorable site, genotype, and operational interactions. Preplant fertilization frequently increases growth over the entire rotation. In the South, delayed fertilization often results in slow growth and seedling mortality. Large gains in early forest growth and survival will require successful vegetation control and the integration of the numerous biological and physical factors governing fertilization response.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Allen, R.M. and T.E. Maki. 1955. Response of longleaf pine seedlings to soils and fertilizers. Soil Sci. 79: 359–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson, H.W. and S.P. Gessel. 1966. Effects of nursery fertilization on outplanted Douglas-fir. J. For. 64: 109–112.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Armson, K.A. and V. Sadreika. 1979. Forest tree nursery soil management and related practices. Nat. Res., Div. For., Ontario, Canada. 177 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Autry, L.L. 1972. The residual effects of nursery fertilization and seed bed density levels on the growth of 12-, 14-, and 16-year old loblolly pine stands. M.S. Thesis. Miss. State Univ. 59 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Baker, J.B. 1973. Intensive cultural practices increase growth of juvenile slash pine in Florida sandhills. For. Sci. 19: 135–138.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ballard, R. 1978. Use of fertilizers at establishment of exotic forest plantations in New Zealand. J. For. Sci. 8: 70–104.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ballard, R. 1980. The means to excellence through nutrient amendment, pp.159–200. In M.J. Wotton (ed.) Forest Plantations — The Shape of the Future (Vol.1). Proceedings of a symposium held at Tacoma, Wash., April 30-May 3, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bell, H.E., R.F. Stettler and R.W. Stonecypher. 1979. Family X fertilizer interaction in one-year-old Douglas-fir. Silvae Genetica 28: 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bengston, G.W. 1976. Comparative response of four southern pine species to fertilization: effects of P, NP, and NPKMgS applied at planting. For. Sci. 22: 487–494.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bengston, G.W. and G.K. Voigt. 1962. A greenhouse study of relations between nutrient movement and conversion in a sandy soil and the nutrition of slash pine seedlings. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 26: 609–612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Benzian, B. 1965. Experiments on nutrition problems in forest nurseries. For. Comm. Bull. 1: 251 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Benzian, B., R.M. Brown and C.R. Freeman. 1974. Effect of the late-season top-dressings of N(and K) applied to conifer transplants in the nursery on their survival and growth on British forest sites. Forestry. 47: 153–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Blackmore, D.G. and W.G. Corns. 1979. Lodgepole pine and white spruce establishment after glyphosate and fertilizer treatments of grassy cutover forest land. For. Chron. 55: 102–105.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Blatt, C.R. 1964. Nitrogen-phosphorus relationships in the nutrition of pitch pine (Pinus rigida). Diss. Abstr. 25, 2121.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Boyer, J.S. 1983. Crops, stress, and genetic improvement. I11. Res. 25: 18–20.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Bradbury, I.K. and D.C. Malcolm. 1977. The effect of phosphorus and potassium on transpiration, leaf diffusive resistance and water-use efficiency on Sitka spruce seedlings. J. Appl. Ecol. 14: 631–641.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Brix, H. and R. van den Driessche. 1974. Mineral nutrition of container-grown tree seedlings, pp.77–84. In. R.W. Tinus, W.I. Stein and W.E. Balmer (eds.) Proc. N. Amer. Containerized For. Tree Seedling Symp., Denver, Colo.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Buckner, E. and T.E. Maki. 1977. Seven-year growth of fertilized and irrigated yellow-poplar, sweetgum, northern red oak, and loblolly pine planted on two sites. For. Sci. 23: 402–410.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Burns, R.M. and E.A. Hebb. 1972. Site preparation and reforestation of droughty, acid sands. USDA Agr. Hndbk No. 426. 61 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Carlson, W.C. and C.L. Preisig. 1980. Effects of controlled-released fertilizers on the shoot and root development of Douglas-fir seedlings. Can. J. For. Res. 11: 230–242.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Carlson, W.C. and C.L. Preisig 1981. Effects of controlled-release fertilizers on shoot and root development of outplanted western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) seedlings. Can. J. For. Res. 11: 752–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Christersson, L. 1973. The effect of inorganic nutrients on water economy and hardiness on conifers. I. The effect of varying potassium, calicium, and magnesium levels on water content, transpiration rate, and the initial phase of development of frost hardiness of Pinus silvestris. Studia For. Suec. 103: 5–26.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Clark, R.B. 1983. Plant genotype differences in the uptake, translocation, and use of mineral elements required for plant growth. Plant Soil. 72: 175–196.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Dambroth, M. and E. Bassam. 1983. Low input varieties; definition, ecological requirements and selection. Plant Soil. 72: 365–377.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Davey, C.B. 1968. Biological considerations in fertilizer evaluation, pp.264–274. In. Forest Fertilization: Theory and Practice, Symp. For. Fert. 1967. Tenn. Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, AL.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Dickson, D.A. and P.S. Savill. 1974. Early growth of Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. on deep oligotropic peat in Northern Ireland. Forestry. 47: 57–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ebert, E. and S.W. Dumford. 1976. Effects of triazine herbicides on the physiology of plants. Residue Rev. 65: 1–103.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Edgren, J.W. 1966. Bed density and size of ponderosa pine seedlings at the Bend nursery. Repr. from Proceedings of 10th Biennial Western Forest Nursery Council Meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Flinn, D.W., P. Hopmans, I. Moller and K. Tregonning. 1979. Response of radiata pine to fertilizers containing N and P applied at planting. Aust. For. 42: 125–131.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Gent, Jr., J.A., R. Ballard and A.E. Hassan. 1983. The impact of harvesting and site preparation on the physical properties of lower coastal plain forest soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 47: 595–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Glatzel, G. 1971. Fertilizer treatment in high altitude afforestation. Allg. Forstztg. 82: 281–283. (Abst.)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Grier, C.C. and D.W. Cole. 1971. Influence of slash burning on ion transport in a forest soil. Northwest Sci. 45: 100–106.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gjerstad and L.R. Nelson. 1983. Accelerating early growth in plantations: Growth response and physiology of tree seedlings as affected by weed control. In. New Forests for a Changing World, Proc. SAF Nat. Conv., Oct. 16–20, 1983, Portland, OR. (In Press).

    Google Scholar 

  34. Grunes, D.L. 1959. Effect of nitrogen on the availability of soil and fertilizer phosphorous to plants. Adv. Agr. 11: 369–396.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Hanschke, D. 1966. (Chemical weed control in the establishment and tending of plantations). Dissertation, Forstliche Fakulat der Georg-August-Universtat zu Gottingen, Hann, Munden. 134–155 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hansen, E.A. 1976. Determining moisture-nutrient requirements for maximum fiber yield, pp.43–46. In Intensive Plantation Culture. USDA For. Ser. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-21.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Hauge, T.P. 1971. Root growth after planting and fertilizing Norway spruce on wet peatland: results of six growing seasons. Tidsskr. Skogbr. 79: 315–326. (Abst.)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Hemminger, G.D. and H.D. Gerhold. 1969. Effects of organic fertilizer on Douglas-fir provenance study. Penn. State Univ. Res. Briefs. 4: 33–36.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Hillerdal-Hagstromer, K., E. Mattson-Djos and J. Hellvist. 1982. Field studies of water relations and photosynthesis in Scots pine. II. Influence of irrigation and fertilization on needle water potential of young pine trees. Physiol. Plant. 54: 295–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Hinesley, L.E. and T.E. Maki. 1980. Fall fertilization helps longleaf pine nursery stock. South. J. Appl. For. 4: 132–135.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hoffman, F. 1962. (Interactions of phosphorous and nitrogen in the nutrition of spruce seedlings. Zemlj. Bilj. 11: 341–348). (Abst.)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ingestad, T. 1977. Nitrogen and plant growth; maximum efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers. Ambio 6: 146–151.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Ingestad, T. 1979. A definition on optimum nutrient requirements in birch seedlings. Physiol. Plant. 46: 31–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Jurgensen, M.F. and A.L. Leaf. 1965. Soil moisture-fertility interactions related to growth and nutrient uptake of red pine. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 29: 294–299.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kaufman, C.M., W.L. Pritchett and R.E. Choate. 1977. Growth of slash pine (Pinus elliotii Engel. var. elliottii) on drained flatwoods. Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 792, 30 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kodama, H.E. and D.H. Van Lear. 1980. Prescribed burning and nutrient cycling relationships in young loblolly pine plantations. South. J. Appl. For. 4: 118–122.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Lopushinski, W. and T. Beebe. 1976. Relationship of shoot-root ratio to survival and growth of outplanted Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine seedlings. USDA For. Ser. Res. Note. PNW-274, 7 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Malac, B.F. 1968. Research in forest fertilization at Union Camp Corp. pp.203–208, In Forest Fertilization: Theory and Practice. Tenn. Valley Auth., Muscle Shoals, Al.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Maftoun, M. and W.L. Pritchett. 1970. Effects of added nitrogen on the availability of phosphorus to slash pine on two lower coastal plain soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 34: 685–690.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Mahon, J.D. 1983. Limitations to the use of physiological variability in plant breeding. Can. J. Plant Sci. 63: 11–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Matziris, D. and B.J. Zobel. 1976. Effect of fertilization on growth and quality characteristics of loblolly pine. For. Ecol. Manag. 1: 21–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. McFee, W.W. and E.L. Stone. 1968. Ammonium and nitrate as nitrogen sources for Pinus radiata and Picea glauca. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 32: 879–884.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. McKee, Jr., W.H. 1973. Slash pine response to nitrogen and phosphorus on imperfectly drained soil of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 37: 784–788.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. McKee, W.H. and E. Shoulders. 1970. Depth of water table and redox potential of soil affect slash pine growth. For. Sci. 16: 399–402.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Mexal, J.G. 1980. Seedling bed density influences yield and performance, pp.89–95. In Proc. of 1980 South. Nur. Conf., Lake Barkley, KY. USDA Tech. Pub. SA-TP17.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Morris, L.A., W.L. Pritchett and B.F. Swindel. 1983. Displacement of nutrients into windows during site prepartion of a flatwood forest. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 47: 591–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Morrison, I.K. 1974. Mineral nutrition of conifers with special reference to nutrient status interpretation: a review of the literature. Dept. of Environment. Can. For. Ser. Publ. 1343, 74 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Moschler, W.W., G.D. Jones and R.E. Adams. 1970. Effects of loblolly pine fertilization on a piedmont soil: growth, foliar composition, and soil nutrients ten years after establishment. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 34: 683–685.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Mullin, R.E. 1981. Seedbed density effects on red pine in the nursery and after outplanting. Ontario Min. Natur. Resour., Nursery Notes No.72, 5 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Nemec, S. and D. Tucker. Effects of herbicides on endomycorrhizal fungi in Florida citrus (Citrus spp.) soils. Weed Sci. 31: 427–431.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Palmer, Jr., J.G., J.E. Kuntz and J.G. Palmer, Sr. 1979. Effects of the herbicide dacthal on mycorrhizal development of Pinus resinosis Ait. in southern Wisconsin J. Arbor. 5: 162.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Pellett, H.M. and Cater, J.V. 1981. Effects of nutritional factors on cold hardiness of plants. Hort. Rev. 3: 144–171.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Perry, T.O. 1971. Dormancy of trees in winter. Science 171: 29–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Pharis, R.P., R.L. Barnes and A.W. Naylor. 1964. The effects of nitrogen level, calcium level, and nitrogen source upon the growth and composition of Pinus taeda L. Physiol. Plant. 17: 560–572.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Pharis, R.P., P.J. Kramer. 1964. The effects of nitrogen and drought on loblolly pine seedlings. 1. Growth and composition. For. Sci. 10: 143–150.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Pope, P.E. and J.E. Voeller. 1976. Fertilization effects on survival and early growth of planted loblolly pine seedlings in the Ozarks. Ark. Farm Res. 25: 13.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Pritchett, W.L. 1979. Properties and management of forest soils. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 500 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Pritchett, W.L. 1979. Site preparation and fertilization on slash pine on a wet savanna soil. South. J. Appl. For. 3: 86–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Pritchett, W.L. and W.R. Llewellyn. 1966. Response of slash pine to phosphorus in sandy soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 30: 509–512.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Prichett, W.L. and W.L. Robertson. 1960. Problems relating to research in forest fertilization with southern pines. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 24: 510–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Pritchett, W.L. and W.H. Smith. 1970. Fertilizing slash pine on sandy soils in lower coastal plain, pp. 19–41. In Proc. 3rd North Amer. For. Soils Conf., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, Ore.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Pritchett, W.L. and W.H. Smith. 1974. Management of wet savanna forest soils for pine production. Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 762, 22 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Rader, Jr., L. M. White and C.W. Whittaker. 1943. The salt index: A measure of the effect of fertilizers on the concentration of the soil solution. Soil Sci. 55: 201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Richards, B.N. and D.I. Bevege. 1967. Effect of cultivation and fertilization on potential yield of pulpwood from loblolly pine. Aust. For. 31: 202–210.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Richards, B.N. and G.L. Wilson. 1963. Nutrient supply and mycorrhiza development in Carribean pine. For. Sci. 9: 405–412.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Roberds, J.H., G. Namkoong and C.B. Davey. 1976. Family variation in growth response of loblolly pine to fertilizing with urea. For. Sci. 22: 291–299.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Sands, R. and G.D. Bowen. 1978. Compaction of sandy soil in radiata pine forest. II. Effects of compaction on root configuration and growth of radiata pine seedlings. Aust. J. Soil Res. 17: 101–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Sands, R. and P.G. Zed. 1979. Promotion of nutrient uptake and growth of radiata pine by atrazine. Aust. For. Res. 9: 101–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Saric, M.R. 1981. Genetic specificity in relation to plant mineral nutrition. J. Plant Nutrition 3: 743–766.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Saric, M.R. 1983. Theoretical and practical approaches to the genetic specificity of mineral nutrition of plants. Plant Soil 72: 137–150.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Schomaker, C.E. 1969. Growth and foliar nutrition of white pine seedlings as influenced by simultaneous changes in moisture and nutrient supply. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 33: 614–618.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Schultz, R.P. 1975. Managing genetically improved southern pines, pp.209–237. In. B.A. Thielges (ed.) Forest Tree Improvement — The Third Decade. 24th Annu. For. Symp. Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, La.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Smith, J.R. and B.W. Ferry. 1979. The effects of simazine applied for weed control on the mycorrhizal development of Pinus seedlings. Ann. Bot. 43: 93–99.

    Google Scholar 

  84. South, D. 1981. Effects of selected herbicides on endomycorrhizal formation of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). Fifth N. Amer. Conf. on Mycorrhizae, Quebec. (Abst.).

    Google Scholar 

  85. Stoeckler, J.H. and H.F. Arnemen. 1960. Fertilizers in Forestry. Adv. Agr. 12: 127–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Stone, E.L. 1973. Biological objectives in forest fertilization, pp.10–18. In. Proc. Forest Fertilization Symposium NE For. Exp. Stn., Upper Darby, Penn. (USDA For. Serv., Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-3).

    Google Scholar 

  87. Switzer, G.L. and L.E. Nelson. 1963. Effects of nursery fertility and density on seedling characteristics, yield and field performance of loblolly pine. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 27: 461–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Tarrant, R.F. 1956. Effects of slash burning on some soils of the Douglas-fir region. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 20: 408–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Tiessier du Cros, E. and B. Lepoutre. 1983. Soil X provenance interaction in beech (Fagus silvatica L.). For. Sci. 29: 311–403.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Timmis, R. 1974. Effect of nutrient stress on growth, bud set and hardiness in Douglas-fir seedlings, pp.187–193. In. R.W. Tinus, W.I. Stein and W.E. Balmer (eds.) Proc. North Amer. Containerized For. Tree Seedlings Symp., Denver, Co., Great Plains Agr. Counc. Publ. 68.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Trappe, J.M. 1983. Effects of herbicides bifenox, DCPA, and napropamide on mycorrhiza development of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seedlings in six western nurseries. For. Sci. 29: 464–468.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Tukey, H.B. and M.M. Meyer. 1966. Nutrient applications during the dormant season. Proc. Int. Plant Propag. Soc. 16: 306–310.

    Google Scholar 

  93. van den Driessche, R. 1977. Fertilizer experiments in conifer nurseries of British Columbia. B.C. For. Ser. Res. Note No. 79, 32 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  94. van den Driessche, R. 1980. Health, vigour and quality of conifer seedlings in relation to nursery soil fertility, pp. 100–120. In. Proc. N. Amer. For. Tree Nursery Soils Workshop, July 28-Aug. 1, 1980, Syracuse, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  95. van den Driessche, R. 1982. Relationship between spacing and nitrogen fertilization of seedlings in the nursery, seedling size, and outplanting performance. Can. J. For. Res. 12: 865–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  96. Wakeley, P.C. 1969. Results of southern pine planting experiments established in the middle twenties. J. For. 67: 237–241.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Walker, L.C. 1962. The effects of water and fertilizer on loblolly and slash pine seedlings. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 26: 197–200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Walker, L.C. and R.D. Hatcher. 1965. Variation in the ability of slash pine progeny groups to absorb nutrients. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 29: 616–621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Weetman, G.F. 1962. Establishment report on a humus decomposition experiment. Woodlands Research Index No. 134, Pulp Pap. Res. Inst. Can., Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  100. White, E.H. and W.L. Pritchett. 1970. Water table control and fertilization for pine production in the flatwoods. Fla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 743, 4

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, New Mexico State University, Box 3530, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003, USA

    J. T. Fisher (Assoc. Professor) & J. G. Mexal (Head)

Authors
  1. J. T. Fisher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. G. Mexal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA

    Mary L. Duryea

  2. University of Maine, Orono, USA

    Gregory N. Brown

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fisher, J.T., Mexal, J.G. (1984). Nutrition Management: A Physiological Basis for Yield Improvement. In: Duryea, M.L., Brown, G.N. (eds) Seedling physiology and reforestation success. Forestry Sciences, vol 14. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6137-1_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6137-1_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6139-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6137-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation