Nutrition of containerised pine (Pinus patula Schlecht. et Cham.) seedlings grown in pine bark.
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Date
1996
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Abstract
Increasing demands for timber and timber products have resulted in
the rapid expansion of containerised forestry seedling production.
The lack of available information on pine seedling fertilization has
forced nurserymen to use overseas recommendations which are based
on peat and vermiculite as growing media, and not composted pine
bark.
Six fertilization trials were conducted in plastic enclosed
"tunnels" to provide fertilization recommendations and optimum
foliar nutrient concentrations for P. patula seedlings grown in
composted pine bark. It was concluded that pre-enrichment of the
pine bark should include micronutrients, preferably in the form of
Micromax®, a soluble micronutrient fertilizer, at 1000 g.m(-3). Pre-enrichment
with lime was unnecessary for pine bark media since pine
bark contains sufficient Ca and Mg. At an unlimed pH of 4.5, the
availability of micronutrients was adequate for pine seedling
growth. The addition of an N-P-K fertilizer and scheduling of
nutrients, to correlate with seedling growth stage, are essential
for maximum pine seedling production. Slow release forms (SRF) of
N-P-K fertilizers were not beneficial, although their use may be
warranted when the cost of SRF is similar to that of conventional
fertilizers. Nitrogen in the form of NH(4+)-N at 80 mg.l(-1) was shown
to produce the best quality P. patula seedlings. The addition of
Si, in the form of pre-enriched silicate slags and si nutrient
solutions, reputed to improve growth by decreasing cuticular water
loss and increasing plant rigidity, provided no added advantage to
pine seedling growth under the trial conditions.
It was concluded that individual nurseries should formulate a
nutritional programme for their own situation, based on these
guidelines. Care should be taken when extrapolating these results
to other substrates and it is recommended that the medium be
analysed before a nutritional programme is decided on.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.
Keywords
Pine bark., Pinus patula--Nutrition., Pinus patula--Seedlings., Seedlings, Container., Theses--Horticultural science.