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Research Branch > Stand Management > Fertilization > EP 886.01a
Nitrogen Fertilization of Lodgepole Pine
(EP 886.01a)
Introduction
Between 1981 and 1983, 11 area-based field installations were established
by the BC Ministry of Forests, Research Branch to document the growth and
yield impacts of nitrogen fertilization in thinned, fire-origin lodgepole
pine stands in the BC interior. The installations were distributed among
four Forest Districts and two biogeoclimatic zones (SBS, MS). Stand ages
ranged from 18 to 24 years old at the time of trial establishment.
Objectives
To determine the magnitude and duration of growth response following
nitrogen fertilization of thinned, fire-origin lodgepole pine.
Treatments
Each installation consists of three replicates of each of three
treatments (unfertilized, 100 kg N/ha, 200 kg N/ha), arranged in a
completely randomized design. At each site, all of the treatment plots
(including unfertilized plots) were thinned to the same post-thinning
density (1100, 1600, or 2100 trees per hectare). Treatment plots are
circular, and vary in size from 0.06 to 0.09 ha depending on the
post-thinning density prescribed for the site. Each treatment plot consists
of an inner assessment plot surrounded by a treated buffer. Growth data
(diameter at breast height, height, height to live crown, tree form and
damage) were collected from 50 trees within each assessment plot at 3-year
intervals for a total of 15 years. Foliar nutrient data were also obtained
from all treatment plots prior to fertilization and after 1 and 3 years. All
installations are now inactive.
Publications
Brockley,
R.P. 1989. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen
fertilization: three-year growth response. B.C. Ministry of Forests,
Victoria. FRDA Report 036.
Brockley, R.
P. 1991. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen
fertilization: six-year growth response. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria.
FRDA Report 184.
Brockley,
R.P. 1992. Response of thinned, immature lodgepole pine to nitrogen
fertilization: six-year growth response. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria.
FRDA Memo 202.
Brockley, R.
P. 1996. Lodgepole pine nutrition and fertilization: a summary of B.C.
Ministry of Forests research results. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria.
FRDA Report 266.
Brockley,
R.P. 2000. Using foliar variables to predict the response of lodgepole pine
to nitrogen and sulphur fertilization. Can. J. For. Res. 30: 1389-1399.
Brockley,
R.P. 2000. Using foliar nutrient levels to predict lodgepole pine
fertilization response. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria. Extension Note
44.
Brockley,
R.P. 2001. Fertilization of lodgepole pine in western Canada. In Proc.
Enhanced Forest Management: Fertilization and Economics Conference, March
1-2, 2001, Edmonton, Alta. C. Bamsey (editor). Clear Lake Ltd., Edmonton.
pp. 44-55. Brockley, R.P. and T.P. Sullivan. 1988. Relationship of feeding
damage by red squirrels to cultural treatments in young stands of lodgepole
pine. In Proc. Future Forests of the Mountain West: a Stand Culture
Symposium, September 29 - October 3, 1986, Missoula, Montana. W.C. Schmidt
(editor). U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Ogden, Utah. Gen. Tech.
Rep. INT-243. pp. 322-329.
Mika, P. G.,
J. A. Moore, R. P. Brockley and R. F. Powers. 1992. Fertilization response
by interior forests: when, where, and how much? In Proc. Forest
Fertilization: Sustaining and Improving Nutrition and Growth of Western
Forests, February 12-14, 1991, Seattle, WA. H.N. Chappell, G. F. Weetman and
R. E. Miller (editors.). University of Washington, College of Forest
Resources, Seattle, WA. Contrib. 73. pp. 127-142.
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