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Project Title: Response of Interior Tree Species to Fertilization.  Series 4 - Nitrogen and Sulphur Fertilization of Lodgepole Pine and Other Interior Species
Project Number: EP 886.01 Installations #23 and #24
District: Columbia Forest District
Location: Whitepine Creek (#23)
Lat. 51 35'N - Long. 117 17'W		 Opening # 82N054-042
Whitepine Creek (#24)
Lat. 51 35'N, - Long. 117 17'W		 Opening # 82N054-040
Principal Researcher: R. P. Brockley
Kalamalka Forestry Centre
Vernon, BC		 Phone: (250) 260-4768
e-mail:
Rob.Brockley@gov.bc.ca

Objectives:

  • To document the magnitude and duration of growth response to nitrogen and nitrogen + sulphur fertilization in a Douglas-fir plantation (#23) and lodgepole pine plantation (#24).
  • To obtain foliar and soil analysis data to assist in deficiency diagnosis and the interpretation and prediction of fertilization response.

Experimental Design:

Treatments:

  • control (i.e., not fertilized)
  • 200 kg N/ha (as 46-0-0)
  • 200 kg N/ha + 75 kg S/ha (as 46-0-0/21-0-0-24S)
  • 200 kg N/ha (as 46-0-0) + "complete" fertilizer (100P, 100K, 37Mg, 75S, 3B) (#23 only)

Layout:

  • Each treatment is applied to three circular plots (4 treatments * 3 reps/treatment = 12 plots) arranged in a completely randomized design.
  • Each plot consists of an inner measurement plot (12-m radius) surrounded by a 5­m treated buffer.
  • Each measurement plot contains 50 crop trees which are measured for height and diameter growth on a three-year measurement cycle.
  • All plots were thinned to 1100 stems/ha in 1993 (at the time of installation establishment).
  • The fir plantation for # 23 was 18 years old at the time of installation establishment, and the pine plantation for #24 was 20 years old.

History:

  • 1993 Installation establishment, fertilization, and initial assessments
  • 1994 Foliar sampling and assessment of foliage mass response
  • 1996 3-year remeasurement
  • 1999 6-year remeasurement

Status: Active

Reports and Publications:

Brockley, R.P., 2000. Using foliar variables to predict the response of lodgepole pine to nitrogen and sulphur fertilization. C.J.F.R. 30:1389-1399.

Brockley, R.P. 2001. Foliar sampling guidelines and nutrient interpretative criteria for lodgepole pine. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch, Victoria. Extension Note 52.

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. pp. 43-54.

Thomson, A, R. Brockley, and J. Saini. 2001. Lodgepole pine foliar nutrient diagnosis and fertilizer advisory system. Online. Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria.

Comments:

These installations were established at the same time in order to compare the responsiveness of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine of the same age growing on similar sites.