Objectives:

• To document the magnitude and duration of growth response to nitrogen and nitrogen + sulphur fertilization in an Engelmann spruce plantation.
• 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)

Layout:

• Each treatment is applied to three circular plots (3 treatments * 3 reps/treatment = 9 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 Engelmann spruce crop trees which are measured for height and diameter growth on a three-year measurement cycle.
• The plantation was 22 years old at the time of installation establishment.

History:

• 1994 Installation establishment, fertilization, and initial assessments
• 1997 3-year remeasurement
• 2000 6-year remeasurement

Status: Active

Reports and Publications: None to date.

Comments: None.