Abstract

Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency (NUE and PUE, respectively), the annual amount of stemwood produced per unit net N or P used in total aboveground production, were examined in 17-year-old pure stands of unthinned loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Englem.) planted at two spacings. Slash pine stands had a greater NUE and PUE than loblolly pine, which was attributed to greater relative allocation of aboveground production to stemwood, lower foliar N and P concentrations, and greater foliar retranslocation of N and P by slash pine. Compared to 2.4 x 2.4 meter spaced stands, denser 1.2 x 1.2m spaced stands had lower NUE and PUE, which may be related to a sustained drought. Results of this study imply that nutrient management should differ in stands of varying composition and structure.

Disciplines

Environmental Sciences

 

URL: http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nrm_fac/34