Increasing and Sustaining Productivity of Tropical Eucalypt Plantations Over Multiple Rotations

Summary

Eucalypt plantations in India are an important source of fiber for paper making and fuel for local villagers. Large areas of land have supported eucalypt plantations for several rotations, and productivity has generally been declining through successive rotations. In 1997, we initiated a project to examine site management options as a way to improve the productivity of these sites. We established a large experimental infrastructure at each of four sites in Kerala, consisting of up to five separate fully randomized block experiments at each site, examining interrotation management options (organic matter manipulation, N and P fertilizer input, legume cover cropping, weed control). Two of the sites were typical lowland plantations with Eucalytus tereticornis, and the other two sites were typical upland plantations with Eucalytus grandis. Following treatments, we monitored plantation productivity and impacts on soil and nutrient cycling for one full rotation (6.5 years). We found it is possible to increase the volume growth of E. grandis by up to 48%, and E. tereticornis by up to 268% through a combination of optimum site practices (mostly weed control and nutrient addition), but productivity responses are dependent on site-specific factors. Key outcomes of this research are presented, with special reference to application in the broader context of tropical eucalypt plantations.     

油橄榄低效林土壤培肥技术研究

【目的】为给油橄榄的科学施肥提供参考依据。【方法】以油橄榄品种阿贝基娜为试材,通过对低效园与高产园土壤养分的调查、油橄榄叶片中各营养元素的检测,找出了影响油橄榄生长发育的关键营养元素;再选择生长势弱且挂果较少的样树,对其施用有机肥加浓度分别为0.3%、0.4%、0.5%和0.6%的高效水溶肥进行施肥试验,以常规施肥处理为对照,比较分析了不同施肥处理对油橄榄树势、叶片和果实生长发育的影响情况。【结果】养分调查中,低效园与高产园的效益差别受到土壤营养状况的影响,高产园区油橄榄叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Zn、Fe的含量均高于低效园的;其中,N含量未达到国外标准,P、K含量符合国外标准,而Ca、Zn、Fe含量均高于国外标准。施肥试验中,与常规施肥处理相比,施用有机肥加浓度分别为0.3%、0.5%、0.6%的高效水溶肥,均促进了油橄榄的树高生长;施用有机肥加浓度分别为0.4%、0.5%、0.6%的高效水溶肥,均能增加油橄榄叶片长度和百叶质量;施用有机肥加浓度分别为0.3%、0.4%、0.5%和0.6%的高效水溶肥,均能显著提高油橄榄坐果率,总体效果随水溶肥浓度的增加而呈先增后减的变化趋势,其中,施...     

整地施肥对I-69杨人工林生长效应的研究

在淮北平原宿县,通过大穴整地、施肥改良砂姜黑土、营造Ⅰ-69杨的五年试验证明,大穴整地当年效应明显(径、高增长19.8%、91.8%);头二年肥效不显;第三年起N肥、有机肥、N×有机肥交互作用效应极显著(材积增加77%),施P+K肥效应较差,N+K肥和N+P肥经济效益较高,投入/产出为1/6.22和1/3.78;材积增加60%和58%。整地加施肥综合效益明显,有效施肥占综合效益85.1%～88.8%。     

A study on the relation between soil and needle content of nutrient elements in the Korean pine plantation

Through the content analysis of nutrient elements in the soil and in the needle at the different site classes and periods of growth ofP. koraiensis, and in a single growing season, some conclusions can be drawn below: Most of the soil nutrient elements were higher at the good sites than at the poor ones in an annual average concentration of them, i.e., site class 1 > site class 2> site class 3. And forP. koraiensis tree at every site class, the nutrient elements in their needles did the same. However, each of the elements in the soil or in the need was seldom at the same level of concentration on the good or on the poor site during different periods of growth. There are no an inevitable relationship between the contents of the soil nutrient elements and the needle’s. And whether these elements are high or low within a tree body may depend on the physiogical requirement of the tree, but not on their contents in the environment. Some nutrient elements required forP. koraiensis varied with growth periods during a whole growing season. N, P and K, for example, were greatly needed only at the fast growth period, while Ca at the initial growth period; and on the contrary, Ca was needed less at the fast growth period. In intensive forest management, therefore, fertilizers with N, P and K should much be applied at the fast growth period, while fertilizer with Ca at the initial growth period to meet requirements of growth ofP. koraiensis trees.     

施肥对盆栽杉木苗土壤养分含量的影响

研究施肥对1年生(1 a)与2年生(2 a)杉木苗盆栽土壤养分含量的影响.结果表明:在氮、磷营养亏缺的酸性黄红壤上,随着氮肥施用量的增加,1 a苗木盆栽土壤pH值、全钾含量下降,全氮、水解氮、水溶性钙镁含量增加,全磷、有效磷、速效钾变化不明显.由于局部尿素浓度过大直接导致幼苗受伤,影响了成活率.而2 a苗木的土壤则是全氮、水解氮、水溶性钙镁含量呈上升趋势,全钾、速效钾含量和pH值下降,有机质和全磷含量变化不明显.有效磷含量与pH值呈明显负相关,表明pH值下降导致闭蓄态磷活化,促进了2 a苗木的生长.在氮、磷营养亏缺条件下,施磷量的增加使得1 a苗木土壤全磷、有效磷、速效钾含量、pH值增加,全钾、水溶性钙镁含量则下降,有机质、水解氮没有明显变化.养分含量与生长指标的相关分析表明:施用磷肥解除了1 a苗木磷素营养亏缺,显著促进了苗木生长;而对2 a苗木,施磷肥使土壤中的全磷、有效磷增加,全钾含量下降,pH值、有机质、全氮、速效钾、水溶性钙镁没有明显变化.对养分含量与生长指标的相关分析表明:施磷肥对2 a苗木生长没有促进作用,而且使土壤营养平衡进一步失调,苗木仍处于营养亏缺状态.在氮素营养充足、磷素亏缺的营养条件下,随着氮磷复合肥施肥量的增加,2 a苗木中的全氮、全磷、水解氮、有效磷增加,速效钾含量下降.施用氮磷复合肥可促进苗木对速效钾的吸收利用,导致苗木的光合产物向叶和茎部转移.     

Morphological and physiological adjustment to N and P fertilization in nutrient-limited Metrosideros polymorpha canopy trees in Hawaii

Leaf-level studies of Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud. (Myrtaceae) canopy trees at both ends of a substrate age gradient in the Hawaiian Islands pointed to differential patterns of adjustment to both nutrient limitation and removal of this limitation by long-term (8-14 years) nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and N + P fertilizations. The two study sites were located at the same elevation, had similar annual precipitation, and supported forests dominated by M. polymorpha, but differed in the age of the underlying volcanic substrate, and in soil nutrient availability, with relatively low N at the young site (300 years, Thurston, Hawaii) and relatively low P at the oldest site (4,100,000 years, Kokee, Kauai). Within each site, responses to N and P fertilization were similar, regardless of the difference in soil N and P availability between sites. At the young substrate site, nutrient addition led to a larger mean leaf size (about 7.4 versus 4.8 cm2), resulting in a larger canopy leaf surface area. Differences in foliar N and P content, chlorophyll concentrations and carboxylation capacity between the fertilized and control plots were small. At the old substrate site, nutrient addition led to an increase in photosynthetic rate per unit leaf surface area from 4.5 to 7.6 micromol m(-2) s(-1), without a concomitant change in leaf size. At this site, leaves had substantially greater nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll content and carboxylation capacity in the fertilized plots than in the control plots. These contrasting acclimation responses to fertilization at the young and old sites led to significant increases in total carbon gain of M. polymorpha canopy trees at both sites. At the young substrate site, acclimation to fertilization was morphological, resulting in larger leaves, whereas at the old substrate site, physiological acclimation resulted in higher leaf carboxylation capacity and chlorophyll content.     

Effects of super-absorbent polymer on dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake of Pinus pinaster container seedlings

Super-absorbent polymer (SAP) is a widely studied cross-linked hydrophilic polymer used as water absorbent material. However, little information is available concerning the effects of SAPs on the growth and nutrient accumulation in forest container seedlings. The present study was conducted to quantify the effects of SAP applied with or without fertilizer on the dry matter and nutrient uptake of Pinus pinaster container seedlings. SAP addition with fertilizer increased dry matter along with increased seedling emergence time. However, no effect was found without fertilizer. Compared with fertilizer only, rapid accumulation time of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) was 7 days longer resulting from SAP addition. The maximum daily N and K accumulations in the fertilized seedlings increased by 9.31 and 10.44 %, respectively, whereas those of the unfertilized seedlings did not differ significantly. SAP addition had little effect on phosphorous (P) uptake, except for an increase in the maximum daily P accumulation under fertilized conditions. The shoot and root of P. pinaster with SAP had 8.61 and 13.70 % higher yields, respectively, than those that received fertilizer only. Compared with fertilizer only, SAP addition with fertilizer increased the N and K contents by 7.15 and 10.04 %, respectively, whereas the P content did not differ significantly. Under fertilized conditions, N, P, and K uptake increased by 17.17, 10.13, and 20.33 %, respectively, from SAP addition. Hence, SAP could be used as a nutrient absorption enhancer (mainly N and K) in forest container seedlings, aside from being a water absorbent material.     

Nutritional Augmentation of Jeffrey Pine Saplings on a Harsh Sierran Site

Broadcast fertilization with an array of amendments was examined for its capacity to reinvigorate growth and enhance nutrition of a 12-yr-old Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) plantation growing on an acidic Sierra Nevada surface mine site. Selected amendments consisted of Viking Brand 21-7-14, Free Flow 29-3-4, High N 22-4-6 + Minors, and Milorganite 6-2-0 + Iron—formulations that differed substantially in critical characteristics including N sources and the duration of release, and each was administered using three rates of application. All formulations stimulated sapling growth during some stage of the study, especially when applied at the highest rates, but the Free Flow amendment, which features urea as the predominant N source, the High N formulation, which is a controlled release fertilizer, and Milorganite, an organic amendment based on municipal biosolids, sustained growth enhancement longer than the Viking amendment, which relies exclusively upon ammoniacal and nitrate N forms and lacks any provision for metering nutrient release. As indicated by foliar analysis, increased availability and uptake of N probably accounted for most of the added growth induced by fertilization, although improved P nutrition likely contributed as well. However, in addition to the N and P responses, fertilized saplings were frequently lower in Mn, B, and Al—all of which may be phytotoxic at elevated concentrations. Further support for the possible linkages between foliar concentrations noted above and sapling growth responses were provided by the concentrations of these elements in the mine soil, which was low in N and P but high in Mn, B, and Al. This study reports approaches to nutritional augmentation on degraded sites suitable for use during the sapling stage of tree development.     

油茶壳及油茶麸堆制有机肥研究初报

将油茶壳和油茶麸配置成4种不同比例进行有机肥沤制试验，结果表明油茶壳与油茶麸3：1时所堆沤成的有机肥中有机质及N、P、K含量较高。建议今后在油茶生产中进行有机肥堆沤时，油茶壳和油茶麸按3：1配比，以达到较优的养分效应。     

Impacts of mechanical site preparation on foliar nutrients of planted white spruce seedlings on mixed-wood boreal forest sites in Alberta

The impacts of different methods of mechanical site preparation (MSP) on performance and foliar nutrition of planted white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings were examined at two mixed-wood boreal forest sites (Judy Creek, Fox Creek) in Alberta, Canada. The treatments included three types of MSP: disc trench, ripper plough, and bladed, the latter including thin and thick microsites (based on depth of remaining organic matter); as well as a harvested-control (no MSP). Seedlings were planted in June 1991, four months after MSP, and foliar N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Fe, and Al were assessed in the second and third growing seasons (13, 25, and 28 months later). Nutrient concentration and relative (among treatments) foliar nutrient content scaled up to the level of the whole seedling were examined. Following analysis of variance, significant responses were interpreted using vector analysis. MSP did not significantly affect seedling survival, height or unit needle weight. There was a non-significant trend of higher foliar biomass for seedlings in MSP areas than for control seedlings. Overall, the impact of MSP on foliar nutrient status on these sites was minimal. The only consistent positive effect of MSP on seedling nutrition was increased foliar Mg concentrations in blade-thin sites at Fox Creek. Indications of possible negative impacts of MSP include: increased Fe and Al concentrations in MSP areas at both sites; reduced P and K concentrations at both sites; and reduced Mn concentration and content at one site. The ripper treatment had the greatest positive effect on foliar nutrient status (P, K, Mn concentration). Blading (particularly blade-thin) resulted in the lowest concentrations of foliar P, K and Mn and the greatest increases in foliar Fe and Al.     

毛竹营养诊断的研究

本文探讨毛竹的叶营养诊断,以指导竹林施肥。研究内容包括叶分析的正确采样方法,用传统的临界值法和近期发展起来的新方法——DRIS诊断毛竹肥料试验的营养状态。结果表明: 1.毛竹的孕笋中期是采样的最佳时期;二年生立竹中部枝叶是取样的理想部位;一个叶平均样品至少采自5个单株才能达到分析精度的要求。 2.不同立竹结构对临界浓度标准有影响,每亩立竹250株以上的竹林,N、P浓度临界值分别为2.6％和0.13％,理想值为2.8％和0.16％。密度稀疏或钩梢竹林,N浓度临界值和理想值为2.9％和3.1％。新竹产量与N、P浓度反应相一致。 3.DRIS诊断参数从三年新竹产量大于3500kg/亩的高产群计算出来。DRIS诊断使用N、P、K、Si四组叶分析资料,诊断结果与临界值法基本一致。DRIS法的好处在于可以对营养平衡状况和需求顺序作出判断。但是养分相对不足或过量也可能误诊。考虑到森林立地条件的不均一性,应该推荐两种方法同时并用。     

施肥和喷施芸苔素内酯对油茶春叶养分等指标影响试验

为了解不同肥料和不同浓度芸苔素内酯对油茶下一年春叶养分等指标的影响,选择长林4号、18号和166号优良无性系油茶品种,对其进行施肥（生物有机肥、油茶专用肥、复合肥）及叶面喷施芸苔素内酯的正交试验。结果表明：油茶春叶叶绿素SPAD值最高处理组合是长林4号、每株施生物有机肥1 kg和喷0.033 mg.kg-1芸苔素内酯;油茶春叶干物质含量最高的处理组合是长林18品系、每株施油茶专用肥0.5 kg和喷0.033 mg.kg-1芸苔素内酯;油茶春叶中氮和磷含量最高的处理组合是长林18品系、每株施油茶专用肥0.5 kg和喷0.033 mg.kg-1芸苔素内酯;叶片钾含量最高的处理组合是长林4品系、每株施生物有机肥1 g和喷0.067 mg.kg-1芸苔素内酯;钾对油茶春叶叶绿素SPAD值贡献率最高,氮对春叶干物质积累贡献率最高。     

Effect of removal of logging residue on nutrient leaching and nutrient pools in the soil after clearcutting in a Norway spruce stand

Following clearcutting applying the conventional stem-only harvesting method in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand and different levels of removal of logging residue, the nutrient fluxes from the heaps of logging residue and from the O horizon were monitored over four growing seasons and the soil nutrient pools were determined. Three levels of removal of logging residue were carried out using (i) conventional stem-only harvesting (no residues removed); (ii) residues removed; and (iii) removal of branches (foliage left on site). The heaps of logging residue were a minor source of inorganic N entering the soil in the water percolating through the heaps, but they were a significant source of organic N, P, Ca, Mg, and especially K. Nutrient fluxes from the O horizon were in general greater under the heaps of logging residue as compared to soils without overlying logging residue. The leaching of inorganic N from the O horizon under the heaps of logging residue resulted in a net loss of these compounds, while the O horizon without overlying logging residue gained N. The removal of logging residue significantly decreased the extractable K pools in the soil while it or conversely, the presence of residue heaps had no significant effect on the pools of organic matter and the pools of N, P, Ca, and Mg in the O horizon and in the 0–10 cm soil layer. The results show that the short-term effects of logging residue on nutrient dynamics in the soil can be complex and difficult to interpret in terms of site productivity as there are changes in the nutrient fluxes, which imply the opposite effects on site productivity. However, the results do indicate that, in the short-term, the removal of logging residue does not impair pools of N in the soil nor site productivity on sites where the availability of N limits productivity.     

Effects of silvicultural treatments and seasonal patterns on foliar nutrients in young post-fire Pinus halepensis forest stands

Tree growth and health status appear to be related to foliar nutrient contents. Foliar nutrient concentration might be the result of a complex interaction between soil nutrients and effective availability caused by climate, water and other site and treatment effects. This study examines foliar macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and organic C concentrations in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) needles (between 5 and 18 months old), as well as time course variability (nine dates, from July 1999 to November 2001). Variability was assessed depending on quality site (two sites, Yeste and Calasparra; SE Spain) and seven silvicultural treatments including thinning, scrubbing, pruning and particular combinations of them. Foliar macronutrient concentrations for Aleppo pine in South-eastern Spain were slightly lower (N, P, K,) or higher (Mg, Ca) than the considered as adequate ranges for Aleppo pine and Pinus genera. However, our results agree well with other normal ranges reported for Aleppo pine in Spain and for other North American Pinus species such as P. elliottii, P. taeda and P. palustris. Site, treatment and date (season) affected significantly the foliar macronutrient and C concentration, although the most important was the date, likely due to the two growth periods per year that Aleppo pine has in Mediterranean sites. Silvicultural treatments affected foliar nutrient concentration, so that the concentrations of N, P and K were higher when treatments included thinning than those that did not. The contrary was true for Mg and Ca. However, treatments did not affect the time course of the concentration, i.e., seasonality was not broken due to treatments. Moreover, the effect of the treatments was markedly high along the first year after they were applied but the differences were attenuate 2 years later. Site affected the time course of N, K, Mg and C in a different way: while for N, K and C, at the end of study period, they were higher in Calasparra than in Yeste, for Mg the contrary was true. Nutrient ratios had a different behaviour regarding to single nutrient: although date was significant, we did not appreciate seasonality. In addition, some nutrient ratios were not affected by treatments (N/P, N/K, Ca/Mg,) or by site (N/Ca, K/Ca). Average foliar N concentration and Ca/Mg ratio explained significantly the mean diameter and height growth, so that higher is the foliar N concentration and lower is Ca/Mg, higher is the growth.     

Growth and nutrition of Pinus radiata in response to fertilizer applied after thinning and interaction with defoliation associated with Essigella californica

Infestations of Essigella californica following the installation of post-thinning fertilizer trials in Pinus radiata plantations provided an opportunity to examine the impact of repeated defoliation over a period of 8 years (1997–2005). Replicated treatments (n = 4) of nil fertilizer (control), N (300 kg ha⁻¹) as urea, P (80 kg ha⁻¹) and S (45 kg ha⁻¹) as superphosphates were applied immediately after thinning at three sites and this was followed by a second application of NPS fertilizers 6 years later with N applied at 300 kg ha⁻¹ as urea and ammonium sulphate and P at 80 or 120 kg ha⁻¹. Defoliation of untreated P. radiata gradually increased to 50% over a period of 8 years. Basal area growth was negatively correlated with average defoliation for two consecutive post-fertilizer periods of 6 and 2 years. Growth responses to fertilizer varied considerably between sites but the largest improvement in growth was due to NPS fertilizer, this increased basal area by 30–80%. Application of N fertilizer raised total N levels in foliage and increased defoliation with a commensurate loss in growth under conditions of deficiencies of S or P. Repeated infestations gradually increased the percentage of trees with severe defoliation (>80% loss of foliage) indicating that nutrient-deficient trees have a reduced capacity for foliage recovery between episodes of peak infestation. In contrast, treatment with N fertilizer in combination with S- and P-corrected deficiencies of these nutrients, raised levels of total N in foliage and reduced defoliation to approximately 20%. Basal area growth responses to NPS fertilizers reflected improved nutrition as well as reduced insect damage. The reduction in defoliation under conditions of balanced tree nutrition was most likely due to enhanced needle retention following correction of P deficiency as well as greater availability of nutrients enabling a more vigorous recovery of P. radiata after an episode of E. californica activity. Treatment with fertilizer therefore reduced the long-term impact of aphid damage and improved growth of P. radiata.     

柚木种源/施肥试验初报

对建立在广东省雷州林业局的柚木种源／施肥试验2．5年生林木进行生长量和叶片养分含量分析。结果表明：3个柚木种源对施肥处理的反应基本一致，种源间生长差异不显著。但施肥处理间的差异极显著，生长最好的处理为N2P6K1，即每公顷施N133．3kg、P333．3kg和K66＝．7kg，其树高生长是最差施肥处理的3．33倍。施肥处理间的树高生长以P、N、P和K的养分含量随柚木的年生长量变化而变化，在年生长量最大的年份，叶片养分含量较低，反之，则叶片养分含量较高。     

施肥对蓝桉幼林生长的影响

经５ａ研究结果表明,在省保山市石灰岩红壤区施肥能明显促进蓝桉幼林生长,肥效在１．５ａ时最大,９个施肥处理的树高、胸径平均增长３３．６９％、４８．３９％,造林后５ａ时,生长反应已经呈下降趋势,９个施肥处理的树高、胸径平均增长１６．４５％、１０．７１％。Ｐ 促进蓝桉增产的主要因素,每株施４３０ｇ钙镁磷肥的几个处理产好,Ｎ、Ｋ肥增产效果不明显,有机肥对蓝桉生长有促进作用。在９个施肥处理中,处理６（钙镁磷     

Fertilization×genotype interaction in Pinus radiata open pollinated families planted in three locations in Galicia (NW Spain)

A Pinus radiata progeny trial was established in 2003 on three low fertility sites in Galicia to study the relevance of genotype×fertilization interaction. At each site, twenty seven open pollinated families derived from plus trees selected in mature plantations in Galicia (NW Spain) were planted under 9 fertilization treatments following a split-plot design. One year after planting, P and Mg fertilization significantly increased height growth whereas N did not affect or even significantly reduced height growth. Fertilization×site interaction was not significant indicating parallel responses to fertilization in the three sites. Fertilization × genotype interaction was significant in only one site, suggesting some genetic variation in the nutrient use efficiency among the studied genotypes. However, the lack of a significant interaction in the other two sites, and the lack of consistence among the genotypic stability in relation to fertilization across sites, hinder the possibility of breeding in relation to the nutrient efficiency of the genotypes. Indications for further research are given.     

施肥对油茶春梢生长及叶片矿质元素含量的影响

为了实现对油茶的高效精准施肥,以普通油茶良种‘长林4号’盆栽大苗为试材,研究了不同施肥策略及复合肥不同氮、磷、钾配比对春梢生长及叶片主要矿质元素氮磷钾元素含量的影响。研究结果表明:复合肥和有机肥的施用量对春梢长度影响显著,而复合肥不同氮磷钾配比对春梢长度无显著影响;冬季有机肥的施用对春梢叶片氮磷钾矿质元素含量无显著影响,而不同复合肥施用量、氮磷钾配比和施用频次显著影响春梢叶片氮钾元素含量,对叶片磷元素的含量影响则不显著;冬季施用25 g/株有机肥、5月份施用N∶P2O5∶K2O配比为5∶1∶5的复合肥15 g/株,对促进油茶春梢生长、改善春梢叶片氮钾营养效果最佳。     

Influence of fertilizer timing on seasonal nutrient uptake and dry-matter production by young Pinus radiata in southern western Australia

Seasonal changes in above ground dry-matter, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) accumulation were measured following application of N and P in autumn or spring to 1-year-old Pinus radiata (D. Don). Dry-matter production and nutrient accumulation were measured eight times over two years following fertilization.

All trees produced dry-matter throughout the year, but during the summer, fertilized trees produced more dry-matter than unfertilized trees. In contrast to dry-matter production, nutrient accumulation showed a distinctly seasonal pattern with maximum accumulation of N and P occurring in winter and spring, when rainfall and soil moisture were highest. Accumulation of N and P either slowed markedly or ceased during summer depending on fertilizer treatment. Continued dry-matter production during summer, when nutrient accumulation was low, resulted in the decline of N and P concentrations in needles, branches and stems of all trees. This indicated that nutrients required for new growth during summer were mobilized from existing foliage and wood. Fertilization increased the concentrations of N and P in foliage and wood, and these higher concentrations persisted through summer. Spring fertilization increased N accumulation to a greater extent than autumn fertilization, this effect lasting two years. The greater dry-matter production by fertilized trees during summer indicated that growth during summer was limited by nutrient supply.