Fertilization To Accelerate Loblolly Pine Foliage Growth For Erosion Control

Paul D. Duffy

Treesearch

Fertilization To Accelerate Loblolly Pine Foliage Growth For Erosion Control

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Paul D. Duffy

Year:

1977

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Southern Research Station

Source:

Res. Note SO-230. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 4 p.

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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.