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Effects of Intensive Fertilization on the Growth of Interior Spruce. Presentation to: Resource Practices Branch Victoria, BC October 1, 2012. Typical pattern of growth response following “conventional” fertilization Type 1 response. Unfertilized. “Conventional” fertilization (Type 1).
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Effects of Intensive Fertilization on the Growth of Interior Spruce Presentation to: Resource Practices Branch Victoria, BC October 1, 2012
Typical pattern of growth response following “conventional” fertilizationType 1 response Unfertilized “Conventional” fertilization (Type 1) Fertilize
Typical pattern of growth response following “conventional” fertilizationType 1 response Unfertilized “Conventional” fertilization (Type 1) Fertilize
Typical pattern of growth response following “intensive” fertilizationType 2 response Unfertilized “Conventional” fertilization (Type 1) “Intensive” fertilization (Type 2) Fertilize
Effects of yearly fertilization on the growth of Norway spruce in northern Sweden from Bergh et al. (2005)
Relationship between stem wood production and light interception by forest canopy
How can light interception be maximized? • Increase the length of the growing season
How can light interception be maximized? • Increase the length of the growing season • Increase the amount of leaf area
How can light interception be maximized? • Increase the length of the growing season • Increase the amount of leaf area • Leaf area is strongly influenced by nutrient availability
Relationship between annual volume growth and leaf area Current
Relationship between annual volume growth and leaf area Potential Current
“Maximum Productivity” fertilization researchEP 886.13 • Objectives • determine the effects of different regimes and frequencies of repeated fertilization on the growth and development of young, managed interior spruce and lodgepole pine forests
“Maximum Productivity” fertilization researchEP 886.13 • Objectives • determine the effects of different regimes and frequencies of repeated fertilization on the growth and development of young, managed interior spruce and lodgepole pine forests • document the long-term effects of intensive, repeated fertilization on above- and below-ground timber and non-timber resources
Interior spruce study sites Crow Creek • SBSmc2 • 10 years old, planted
Interior spruce study sites Crow Creek • SBSmc2 • 10 years old, planted Lodi Lake • SBSwk1 • 11 years old, planted
Interior spruce study sites Crow Creek • SBSmc2 • 10 years old, planted Lodi Lake • SBSwk1 • 11 years old, planted Hand Lake • SBSmk1 • 14 years old, planted
Treatments • Control • N+B • N+S+B • “Complete blend” • Optimum Nutrition 1 (1.3%N) • Optimum Nutrition 2 (1.6%N) every 6 years
Foliar nitrogen by treatment and year Crow Creek (Brockley2010)
Foliar nitrogen by treatment and yearCrow Creek (Brockley 2010)
12-year tree height increment by treatmentCrow Creek (Brockley 2010) Crow Creek c b a
12-year tree height increment by treatmentLodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake b
12-year stand volume increment by treatmentCrow Creek (Brockley 2010) Crow Creek c b a
12-year stand volume increment by treatmentLodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake c b
12-year stand volume development by treatment Crow Creek (Brockley2010) Crow Creek
12-year stand volume development by treatment Crow Creek (Brockley2010) Crow Creek
12-year stand volume development by treatment Crow Creek (Brockley2010) Crow Creek
12-year stand volume development by treatment Crow Creek (Brockley2010) Crow Creek
12-year stand volume development by treatment Crow Creek (Brockley2010) Interior spruce
12-year stand volume development by treatment Lodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake
12-year stand volume development by treatment Lodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake
12-year stand volume development by treatment Lodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake
12-year stand volume development by treatment Lodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake
12-year stand volume development by treatment Lodi Lake (Unpubl. data) Lodi Lake
Effects of yearly fertilization on the growth of Norway spruce in northern Sweden from Bergh et al. (2005)
Effects of yearly fertilization on the growth of Norway spruce in northern Sweden from Bergh et al. (2005)
Effects of 20 years of annual fertilization on the growth of Norway spruce in central SwedenTamm (1991)
Effects of frequency of fertilization on the growth of Norway spruce in central Sweden – 5-year resultsBergh et al. (2008) F1 – 75-100 kg N every year F2 – 125-150 kg N every 2 years F3 – 150-180 kg N every 3 years
Relationship between annual volume growth and leaf area Current
Relationship between annual volume growth and leaf area Potential Current
Leaf area index by treatment at year 12Crow Creek (Brockley 2010) Crow Creek
Summary of results to date • Young Sx plantations apparently respond well to repeated fertilization
Summary of results to date • Young Sx plantations apparently respond well to repeated fertilization • Potentially large effects on rotation length or harvest volume
Summary of results to date • Young Sx plantations apparently respond well to repeated fertilization • Potentially large effects on rotation length or harvest volume • Magnitude of gains directly related to frequency of application
Summary of results to date • Young Sx plantations apparently respond well to repeated fertilization • Potentially large effects on rotation length or harvest volume • Magnitude of gains directly related to frequency of application • Costs and risks to non-timber resources increase with increasing frequency of application