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Abstract
Red pine (
Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings were topdress-fertilized with granular ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) at the rate of 0, 11, 22, 44, or 89 kg/ha (0, 10, 20, 40, or 80 lb N/ac) during fall of 2005 in Badoura State Forest Nursery, Akeley, Minnesota. Seedlings received either a single (September 16) or double (September 16 and 23) application of fall fertilizer. Seedling morphology and cold hardiness were evaluated in November of 2005(1+0s) and 2006 (2+0s). Seedling morphological attributes were the same regardless of application method (single versus double). Seedling height and number of needle primordia increased significantly with increased fertilizer rate at the end of both growing seasons. In general, cold hardiness (measured by freeze-induced electrolyte leakage [FIEL] test) increased at the end of the 1+0 season in seedlings that received fall fertilization as either a single or double application. At the end of the 2+0 season, however, cold hardiness decreased (7% to 30%) with increased fertilizer rate in seedlings that received a single application of fall fertilization, but increased (15% to 50%) with fertilizer rate in seedlings that received double applications compared to controls. We are following these seedlings after outplanting to verify potential benefits of fall fertilization on seedling field performance.
Parent Publication
Citation
Islam, M. Anisul; Apostol, Kent G.; Jacobs, Douglass F.; Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2008. Effects of fall fertilization on morphology and cold hardiness of red pine (
Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings. In: Dumroese, R. K.; Riley, L. E., tech. coords. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations-2007. Proc. RMRS-P-57. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 72-78
