One-year response of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to granular fertilizer applications on a reclaimed surface mine in eastern Kentucky

Abstract

The establishment of intensively managed woody energy crops on reclaimed surface mine lands provides an opportunity to diversify domestic biomass sources, while increasing the productivity and economic value of underutilized land. Our objective is to test the effect of fertilization on the growth and biomass accumulation of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) planted on a reclaimed surface mine. In 2008, replicated plantings of sycamore and black locust were established on Big Elk Mine in eastern Kentucky. The treatments tested include a onetime granular fertilizer application of 37 kg N, 30 kg P, and 16 kg K ha^-1 and an unfertilized control. Following one growing season, American sycamore exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) greater stem biomass in the fertilizer treatment (48.98 g) than in the control (23.52 g). Stem biomass of black locust was also greater (p < 0.01) in the fertilizer treatment (32.36 g) than in the control (13.20 g). Mean diameter and height growth of black locust was significantly (p < 0.05) greater in fertilizer treatments (6.52 mm, 20.37 cm, respectively) compared to the control (2.27 mm; 9.38 cm). American sycamore also displayed significant (p < 0.05) differences in diameter and height growth between fertilizer (7.86 mm; 30.63 cm) and control (4.42 mm; 15.97 cm) treatments. Mean black locust survival was 79.25 percent in control treatments and 88.07 percent in fertilizer treatments. American sycamore survival did not differ between control (96.43 percent) and fertilizer (93.81 percent) treatments. Our findings indicate that fertilizer applications to 1-year-old seedlings on reclaimed mines in Appalachia increase height, diameter, and biomass accumulation.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings, 17th Central Hardwood Forest Conference

Citation

Brinks, Josh; Lhotka, John; Barton, Chris. 2011. One-year response of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to granular fertilizer applications on a reclaimed surface mine in eastern Kentucky. In: Fei, Songlin; Lhotka, John M.; Stringer, Jeffrey W.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Miller, Gary W., eds. Proceedings, 17th central hardwood forest conference; 2010 April 5-7; Lexington, KY; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-78. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 306-313.