The effects of fertilizers on early growth and foliar nutrient concentrations of three plantation eucalypts on high quality sites in Gippsland, southeastern Australia

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(96)03848-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Fertilizer trials of a standard design were established in experimental plantations of Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus globulus on sites of high potential productivity in Gippsland, southeastern Australia. The design involved factorial combinations of three rates of N (up to 400 kg ha−1 elemental) and four rates of P (up to 200 kg ha−1) with four additional treatments including K and trace elements. Treatments were complete after up to four applications at 2, 9, 14 and 26 months post-planting.

P additions significantly increased foliar P concentrations and growth of E. regnans to 45 months but poor survival and competition from woody weeds limited growth responses to treatments. Foliar concentrations of N and P in E. nitens and E. globulus at age 1 year were significantly increased by N and P additions and were positively correlated with both early and later growth. Added P significantly decreased the foliar N to P ratios of all species at age 1 year, indicating that P additions, in particular, were required for good early growth. Combined additions of N and P significantly increased growth of E. nitens in the first year but growth responses to further additions of fertilizer were minimal. In contrast, growth of E. globulus increased in response to all fertilizer additions, leading to the greatest mean volumes at the highest combined rates of N and P. Relative gains in productivity were therefore greater in E. globulus (m.a.i. range at 71 months: 10–24 m3 ha−1 year−1) than E. nitens (16–33 m3 ha−1 year−1).

There were no additional growth responses of any species to added K or trace elements. However, concentrations of K in E. regnans foliage at age 1 year were increased by K additions and were correlated with later growth. Low concentrations of Mg in E. nitens foliage suggest a probable response to Mg additions. General fertilizer prescriptions for the establishment phase of eucalypt plantations on sites of high quality are presented. Refinement of these prescriptions will rely on a better understanding of the nutritional requirements of individual species.

References (35)

  • R.N. Cromer et al.

    Response of eucalypt species to fertiliser applied soon after planting at several sites

    Aust. For.

    (1981)
  • A. Fabião et al.

    Development of root biomass in a Eucalyptus globulus plantation under different water and nutrient regimes

    Plant Soil

    (1995)
  • FAFPIC
  • D.W. Flinn

    Nutrition of Eucalyptus globulus at Powell-town. For. Comm.

    Victoria Tech. Pap.

    (1976)
  • D.W. Flinn et al.

    Opportunities for increased softwood production through intensive site and nutrient management

  • G.W. Gee et al.

    Particle size analysis

  • E. Gonzalez Esparcia et al.

    Concentration foliar de nutrientes en Eucalyptus globulus, segun el tratamiento fertilizante y epoca de su aplicacion

    An. Inst. Nac. Invest. Agrar. Ser. For.

    (1985)
  • Cited by (29)

    • Relationships between soils and productivity of NSW blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.) forests

      2022, Trees, Forests and People
      Citation Excerpt :

      Where relationships are developed between nutrients and productivity it is a reasonable argument that increases in availability of nutrients, such as through fertilizer additions, will increase productivity while the converse of nutrient losses, such as harvesting removals, will lower productivity. Fertilizer applications in natural stands of Eucalyptus are not usual but trials have shown growth responses as has happened also in Eucalyptus plantations (Birk and Turner, 1992; Bennett et al., 1996). However, in natural Eucalyptus forests there have been no demonstrated growth reductions from harvesting removals even though measured removals of some nutrients have been shown to be a significant proportion of soil reserves (Hopmans et al., 1993; Stewart et al., 1990; Turner and Lambert, 1986).

    • Biogeochemical expression of buried iron-oxide‑copper‑gold (IOCG) mineral systems in mallee eucalypts on the Yorke Peninsula, southern Olympic Domain; South Australia

      2018, Journal of Geochemical Exploration
      Citation Excerpt :

      Fertiliser application during the cropping season is widespread throughout the Yorke Peninsula (Department of State Development, 2014). Use of phosphate fertilisers have been shown to significantly increase the foliar content of P (e.g. Bennett et al., 1996; Crous et al., 2015) and could conceivably result in increased uptake of other essential nutrients or trace elements, either directly from the fertiliser or from the substrate as a result of more vigorous plant growth. Therefore, it is important to determine the impact, if any, of fertilisers on the Cu concentration in the eucalypt leaves.

    • Nitrogen management in Eucalyptus nitens plantations

      2004, Forest Ecology and Management
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text