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Research Branch > Stand Management > Fertilization > EP 886.01c
Nitrogen and Sulphur Fertilization of
Interior Conifers (EP 886.01c)
Introduction
This series of area-based field installations was initiated in 1992 in
order to expand the species and biogeoclimatic zone coverage of area-based
fertilization installations in the BC interior. A total of 31 field
installations in this series have been established to date. The
installations are distributed among three species (16 Pl, 9 Sx, 5 Fdi) and
six biogeoclimatic zones (SBS, MS, SBPS, ICH, IDF, and ESSF). Based on
strong evidence of S limitations in interior forests, all of the
installations test both N and N+S fertilization. Installations are located
within plantations and in fire- and harvest-origin stands, and ranged in age
from 18 to 44 years old at the time of installation establishment.
Objectives
To determine the effects of nitrogen, with and without added sulphur, on
the growth and development of interior conifer species.
Treatments
In most installations, three replicates of each of three treatments
(unfertilized, 200 kg N/ha, 200 kg N/ha + 75 kg S/ha) are arranged in a
completely randomized or a randomized complete block design. At three sites,
a "Complete Mix" treatment (N, P, K, Mg, S, B) is added to the core design
to test for other growth-limiting nutrient deficiencies. Treatment plots are
circular, and vary in size from 0.06 to 0.14 ha depending on plantation or
post-thinning density of the stand. Each treatment plots consists of an
inner assessment plot surrounded by a treated buffer. Growth data (diameter
at breast height, total height, height to live crown, tree form and damage)
are collected from 50 trees within each assessment plot.
All of the installations will be re-measured at 3-year intervals for 12
years and at 6-year intervals thereafter. Foliar nutrient data are obtained
from all treatment plots prior to fertilization and after 1 and 3 years.
Publications
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. 2006. Effects of fertilization on the
growth and foliar nutrition of immature Douglas-fir in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock
zone of British Columbia: six-year results. B.C. Ministry of Forests and
Range, Victoria. Research Report 27.
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