Objectives:

• To provide regional experience on the installation of screening trials by installing two trials as a pilot study;
• To review operational fertilization priorities with district and regional silviculturists in the Nelson Forest Region;
• To outline a strategy for future regional fertilization research, which will complement provincial studies.

Experimental Design:

Fertilizer Treatments:

• untreated control plots;
• N alone as urea (46-0-0);
• N + S as forest grade urea and forest grade ammonium sulphate blend (35N-0-0-10S); and
• UBC nutrient blend (N 19.4%; P 6.9%; K 6.4%; S 7.2%; Mg 3.5%; Zn 1.7%; Cu .9%; Fe .1%; B .2%).

All application rates were based on 200 kg/ha of N for each of the three treatments. Fertilizer was applied to a 5m radius circle around each tree.

Layout:

Sulphur Creek, Blackwater Creek

The layout follows the "single tree" experimental design, such as used in EP 886.09 (Brockley 1988). At each site a series of parallel grid lines were established throughout the study area at 20m intervals. The initial grid line bearing was selected to provide the best coverage of the candidate site. Sixty sampling points were established. In the case of unsuitable site or stand characteristics the sampling point was discarded and a suitable replacement established.

Each sampling point was marked out at each grid intersection. A healthy, dominant crop tree was selected near each sampling point. Sample trees were of comparable diameters and heights. Each of the 60 trees were marked and labeled with aluminum tags and log-marking paint at breast height to permit future sampling. The four treatments were randomly assigned to the 60 single tree plots (15 trees per treatment).

History:

• 1992 - Plot establishment - trial layout report
• 1993 - 1st year foliar sampling (report pending)

Status: Active

Reports and Publications:

Brockley, R.P. 1988. Response of young lodgepole pine to nitrogen and sulphur fertilization. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch, Victoria, B.C. EP 886.09 Working Plan.

Blackwell, B.A. and Associates, 1992. Fertilizer Screening Trials in the Nelson Forest Region, Unpubl. Rep. B.C. Min. For., Nelson, B.C.

Davis, G., 1993. Regional Fertilizer Screening Trials. Working Plan EP.1171, Forest Sciences, B.C. Min. For., Nelson, B.C.

Blackwell, B.A. and Associates, 1995. Evaluation of two single tree fertilizer screening trials in thinned lodgepole pine in the Nelson Forest Region, Unpubl. Rep. B.C. Min. For., Nelson, B.C.