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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377306
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Mid-rotation fertilization and liming of Pinus taeda L.: litter, fine root mass, and elemental composition

Author
item ADAM, WILLIAM - Epagri
item DOS SANTOS RODRIGUES, VALDECIO - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item MAGRI, EDERLAN - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item MOTTA, ANTONIO - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item Prior, Stephen - Steve
item ZAMBON, LEANDRO - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item LIMA, RUBIA - Universidade Federal Do Parana

Submitted to: iForest
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2021
Publication Date: 4/24/2021
Citation: Adam, W.M., Dos Santos Rodrigues, V., Magri, E., Motta, A., Prior, S.A., Zambon, L.M., Lima, R.D. 2021. Mid-rotation fertilization and liming of Pinus taeda L.: litter, fine root mass, and elemental composition. iForest. 14(2):195-202. https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor3626-014.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor3626-014

Interpretive Summary: Forest floor litter can influence nutrient cycling in pine forests, especially on low soil fertility sites. The impact of fertilization and liming was evaluated in a Pinus taeda stand in southern Brazil. On this poor soil, litter and fine roots had little K likely due to efficient redistribution from old growth to new growth. Fertilizer addition had little impact on litter build up suggesting a balance of inputs and outputs with little impact on litter decomposition. Litter acted as a nutrient pool and had the following order of availability under control conditions: C>N>Fe>P>Ca>K>Mg>Mn. Under amended conditions the sequence was: C>N>Ca>Mg>P>Fe>Mn>K. Lime application increased amounts of Ca and Mg in litter but had no effect on C, N, K, and P. Increases in forest litter Ca and Mg from liming provided better conditions for fine root growth, and decreased Al toxicity.

Technical Abstract: Forest floor litter can influence biogeochemical cycling and root growth in Pinus taeda systems, especially on low soil fertility sites. The impact of fertilization and liming on forest floor litter (quantity, elemental composition and root presence) was evaluated in a Pinus taeda stand in southern Brazil. A nutrient omission experiment was initiated in November 2008 on an 11 year-old Pinus taeda plantation. The experiment was a randomized block design with seven treatments and four blocks. The treatments were: complete (macro + micro + lime); minus macronutrients; minus micronutrients; minus K; minus Zn; minus lime; and control. In 2012, forest floor litter samples were collected, divided by layer (new litter, old litter, coarse fragmented forest layer > 2mm, fine fragment forest floor < 2mm and fine roots) and analyzed for concentrations of Na, Al, and total nutrients. Results indicated that lime increased Ca and Mg concentrations, reduced Al toxicity, and improved fine root growth. An increase in fine roots was observed in treatments without K. There were large increases in Fe and Al as a function of litter age and increased Mn in fragmented litter when lime was applied. There was little variation in forest floor litter accumulation in all treatments. Elemental abundance was C>N>Fe>P>Ca>K>Mg>Mn under control conditions and C>N>Ca>Mg>P>Fe>Mn>K for the complete treatment. Fertilization and liming affected the bio-cycling of nutrients, Al toxicity, and root growth.