Nutritional status and growth of a Pinus cooperi Blanco plantation fertilized with N-P-K

Abstract

Timber production in Mexico has decreased dramatically, while demand has increased in recent years. The productivity of the forest depends on various environmental factors, including solar radiation, temperature, water and nutrient availability. The present research studied the effect of chemical fertilization (N, P and K) on the growth of seedlings of Pinus cooperi two years after its establishment in field. We included three doses of urea (N: 0.0, 4.0, 8.0), three of simple calcium superphosphate (P: 0.0, 3.5, 7.0), and three of potassium sulphate (K: 0.0, 3.28, 6.5) grams tree^-1. The combination of the levels of the three tested nutrients corresponded to 27 treatments, which were applied to the seedlings with an average height of 80 cm. It was determined that the nitrogen probably limits the growth of Pinus cooperi in the plantation site. The application of phosphorus generated the largest increase in basal diameter, indicating that it is the most deficient nutrient in the area. It was determined that potassium has no positive effect on the diameter or the height of the trees, which suggests a satisfactory level of availability.