Objectives:

• To investigate the effects of boron and sulphur, applied singly and in combination, on the nutrition, health, and growth of nitrogen-fertilized lodgepole pine.
• To examine the nature of a boron x sulphur interaction.
• To obtain soil and foliar analysis data to assist in deficiency diagnosis and the interpretation and prediction of fertilization response.

Experimental Design:

Treatments:

• control (i.e., unfertilized)
• 300 kg N/ha
• 300 kg N/ha + 75 kg S/ha
• 300 kg N/ha + 3 kg B/ha
• 300 kg N/ha + 75 kg S/ha + 3 kg B/ha

Layout:

• Each treatment is applied to five circular treatment plots (5 treatments * 5 reps/treatment = 25 plots) arranged in a completely randomized design.
• Each plot consists of an inner measurement plot (7-m radius) surrounded by a 3­m treated buffer.
• Each measurement plot contains approximately 15 lodgepole pine trees.
• The stand was 18 years old at the time of installation establishment.

History:

• 1990 Installation establishment and initial assessments
• 1991 Foliar sampling and assessment of foliage mass response
• 1993 - 1999 Remeasurement on 3-year schedule

Status: Active

Reports and Publications:

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:

This installation is established in the same stand as EP. 886.01 Installation #13. The EP. 886.01 installation experienced severe top dieback caused by boron deficiency after N fertilization.