Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Field Performance of Three Stock Sizes of Douglas-fir Container Seedlings Grown with Slow-release Fertilizer in the Nursery Growing Medium

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Containerized coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were grown with conventional soluble fertilizer and supplemented with one of four slow-release fertilizers (SRF treatments) or unsupplemented (control treatment). Seedlings were outplanted to two sites in 1998. At the time of outplanting, SRF incorporated into the growing medium resulted in larger seedlings with higher foliar nutrient concentrations as compared to conventionally fertilized seedlings. After four growing seasons, SRF-amended seedlings at both sites had significantly greater height, basal stem diameter, and stem volume, with increases up to 19, 21, and 73%, respectively, as compared to conventionally fertilized seedlings. Additionally, three stock sizes were compared at one of the sites. Increasing stock size resulted in increased growth during the first two seasons, enabling larger stock to maintain their size advantage. Seedling responses to SRF are attributed to larger initial size, increased internal nutrient reserves at planting, and continued fertilization after planting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • J.T. Arnott A.N. Burdett (1988) ArticleTitleEarly growth of planted western hemlock in relation to stock type and controlled-release fertilizer application Can. J. For. Res. 18 710–717

    Google Scholar 

  • L.R. Auchmoody (1985) ArticleTitleEvaluating growth responses to fertilization Can. J. For. Res. 15 877–880

    Google Scholar 

  • Brockley R.P. 1988. The effects of fertilization on the early growth of planted seedlings: a problem analysis. FRDA Report VictoriaB.C. No. 011.

  • R.I. Cabrera (1997) ArticleTitleComparative evaluation of nitrogen release patterns from controlled release fertilizers by nitrogen leaching analysis Hort. Sci. 23 669–673

    Google Scholar 

  • W.C. Carlson C.L. Preisig (1981) ArticleTitleEffects of controlled-release fertilizers on the shoot and root development of Douglas-fir seedlings Can. J. For. Res. 11 230–242

    Google Scholar 

  • W.C. Carlson (1981) ArticleTitleEffects of controlled-release fertilizers on shoot and root development of outplanted western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Raf. Sarg.) seedlings Can. J. For. Res. 11 752–757

    Google Scholar 

  • S.D. Carson O. Garcia J.D. Hayes (1999) ArticleTitleRealized gain and prediction of yield with genetically improved Pinus radiata in New Zealand For. Sci. 45 186–200

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Gambash M. Kochba Y. Avnimelech (1990) ArticleTitleStudies on slow-release fertilizers: II. A method for evaluation of nutrient release rate from slow-releasing fertilizers Soil Sci. 150 446–450 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXltlWm

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K.M. Groves S.L. Warren T.E. Bilderback (1998) ArticleTitleIrrigation volumeapplication, and controlled-release fertilizers: I. Effect on plant growth and mineral nutrient content in containerized plant production J. Environ. Hort. 16 176–181

    Google Scholar 

  • D.L. Haase R. Rose (1993) ArticleTitleSoil moisture stress induces transplant shock in stored and unstored 2+0 Douglas-fir seedlings of varying root volumes For. Sci. 39 275–294

    Google Scholar 

  • D.L. Haase R. Rose (1995) ArticleTitleVector analysis and its use for interpreting plant nutrient shifts in response to silvicultural treatments For. Sci. 41 54–66

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Handreck (1997) ArticleTitleControlled release fertilisers. Measuring nutrient release rates Aust. Hort. 95 51–53

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Hauck (1985) Slow-release and bioinhibitor-amended nitrogen fertilizers O. Engelstad (Eds) Fertilizer Technology and Use EditionNumber3 Madison WI, USA 293–322

    Google Scholar 

  • D.O. Huett (1997a) ArticleTitleFertiliser use efficiency by containerized nursery plants. 1. Plant growth and nutrient uptake Aust. J. Agric. Res. 48 251–258

    Google Scholar 

  • D.O. Huett (1997b) ArticleTitleFertiliser use efficiency by containerized nursery plants. 2. Nutrient leaching Aust. J. Agric. Res. 48 259–265

    Google Scholar 

  • D.O. Huett B.J. Gogel (2000) ArticleTitleLongevities and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium release patterns of polymer-coated controlled-release fertilizers at 30 °C and 40 °C Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 31 959–973 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjtVKkur0%3D Occurrence Handle10.1080/00103620009370490

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D.O. Huett S.C. Morris (1999) ArticleTitleFertiliser use efficiency by containerised nursery plants – 3. Effect of heavy leaching and damaged fertiliser prills on plant growthnutrient uptakeand nutrient loss Aust. J. Agric. Res. 50 217–222 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXhslCrs7Y%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G.A. Hunt (1989) ArticleTitleEffect of controlled-release fertilizers on growth and mycorrhizae in container-grown Engelmann spruce West. J. Appl. For. 4 129–131

    Google Scholar 

  • K.M. Irwin M.L. Duryea E.L. Stone (1998) ArticleTitleFall-applied nitrogen improves performance of 1–0 slash pine nursery seedlings after outplanting South. J. Appl. For. 22 111–116

    Google Scholar 

  • J.E. King (1966) Site Index Curves for Douglas-fir in the Pacific Northwest Weyerhaeuser Forestry Research Center Centralia, WA 49

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Kochba S. Gambash Y. Avnimelech (1990) ArticleTitleStudies on slow release fertilisers. 1. Effect of temperaturesoil moisture and water vapour pressure Soil Sci. 149 339–343 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXmtlShsLk%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H.H. Kope J. Sutherland D. Trotter (1996) ArticleTitleInfluence of cavity sizeseedling growing density and fungicide applications on Keithia blight of western redcedar seedling growth and field performance New For. 11 137–147

    Google Scholar 

  • G.P. Lamont R.J. Worrall M.A. Oȁ9Connell (1987) ArticleTitleThe effects of temperature and time on the solubility of resin-coated controlled-release fertilizers under laboratory and field conditions Sci. Hort. 32 265–273 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXnsVartw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landis T.D., Tinus R.W., McDonald S.E. and Barnett J.P. 1989. Seedling Nutrition and Irrigation, Vol. 4, The Container Tree Nursery Manual, USDA, Forest Service, Agric. Handbk. 674. Wash., D.C., p. 119.

  • A.J. Long B.D. Carrier (1993) ArticleTitleEffects of Douglas-fir 2 + 0 seedling morphology on field performance New For. 7 19–32

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Malik V.R. Timmer (1996) ArticleTitleGrowthnutrient dynamics, and interspecific competition of nutrient-loaded black spruce seedlings on a boreal mixed-wood site Can. J. For. Res. 26 1651–1659

    Google Scholar 

  • H.G. Miller (1981) ArticleTitleForest fertilization: Some guiding concepts Forestry 54 157–167

    Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Moore Z. Fan (2002) ArticleTitleEffect of root-plug incorporated controlled-release fertilizer on two-year growth and survival of planted Ponderosa pine seedlings West. J. Appl. For. 17 216–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Northwest Tree Improvement Cooperative 2001. Genetic gain verification trial. In: Jayawickrama K. (ed.), Oregon State Univ., Dept. For. Sci., Corvallis, OR.

  • R.F. Powers P.E. Reynolds (1999) ArticleTitleTen-year responses of ponderosa pine plantations to repeated vegetation and nutrient control along an environmental gradient Can. J. For. Res. 29 1027–1038 Occurrence Handle10.1139/cjfr-29-7-1027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Rose D.L. Haase F. Kroiher T. Sabin (1997) ArticleTitleRoot volume and growth of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seedlings: A summary of eight growing seasons West. J. Appl. For. 12 69–73

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Rose J.S. Ketchum (2002) ArticleTitleInteraction of vegetation control and fertilization on conifer species across the Pacific Northwest Can. J. For. Res. 32 136–152 Occurrence Handle10.1139/x01-180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose R. and Morgan P. 2000. Guide to Reforestation in Western Oregon, Oregon Dept. of Forestry and College of Forestry, Oregon State Univ., p. 50.

  • Simpson D.G. 1994. Nursery growing density and container volume affect nursery and field growth of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine seedlings. In: Landis T.D. and Dumroese R.K.(eds), National proceedings, Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mtn. Forest and Range Exp. Sta., General Technical Report RM-257. pp. 105–115.

  • D.B. South R.J. Mitchell B.R. Zutter J.M. Balneaves B.L. Barber J.B. Zwolinski (1993) ArticleTitleIntegration of nursery practices and vegetation management: economic and biological potential for improving regeneration Can. J. For. Res. 23 2083–2092

    Google Scholar 

  • D.B. South J.B. Zwolinski H.L. Allen (1995) ArticleTitleEconomic returns from enhancing loblolly pine establishment on two upland sites: effects of seedling gradefertilization, hexazinoneand intensive soil cultivation New For. 10 239–256

    Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Stonecypher R.F. Piesch G.G. Helland J.G. Chapman H.J. Reno (1996) ArticleTitleResults from genetic tests of selected parents of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) in an applied tree improvement program Forest Sci. 42 IssueID2 35

    Google Scholar 

  • D.C. Sutherland R.J. Day (1988) ArticleTitleContainer volume affects survival and growth of white spruceblack spruceand jack pine seedlings a literature review North. J. Appl. For. 5 185–189

    Google Scholar 

  • V.R. Timmer (1997) ArticleTitleExponential nutrient loading: a new fertilization technique to improve seedling performance on competitive sites New For. 13 279–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Trobaugh J. 2000. Profits and investment analyses. In: Rose R. and Haase D.L. (eds), Proceedings of the Conference: Advances and Challenges in Forest Regeneration, June 1–2, 2000, Nursery Technology Cooperative and Western Forest and Conservation Association pp. 79–81.

  • R. van den Driessche (1988) ArticleTitleResponse of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) to some different fertilizers applied at planting New For. 2 89–110

    Google Scholar 

  • R.F. Walker C.D. Huntt (1992) ArticleTitleControlled release fertilizer effects on growth and foliar nutrient concentration of container grown Jeffrey pine and singleleaf Pinyon West. J. Appl. For. 7 113–117

    Google Scholar 

  • F.L. Wang A.K. Alva (1996) ArticleTitleLeaching of nitrogen from slow-release urea sources in sandy soils Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 60 1454–1458 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlvFChs74%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wenny D.L. and Dumroese R.K. 1992. A Growing Regime for Containerized Douglas-fir Seedlings, Univ. of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Exp. Sta., Bull. 49., p.8.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nursery Technology Cooperative Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, 97331, Corvallis, OR, U.S.A

    Diane L. Haase & Robin Rose

  2. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Webster Forest Nursery, P.O. Box 47017, 98504–7017, Olympia, WA, U.S.A

    John Trobaugh

Authors
  1. Diane L. Haase
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robin Rose
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John Trobaugh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diane L. Haase.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haase, D.L., Rose, R. & Trobaugh, J. Field Performance of Three Stock Sizes of Douglas-fir Container Seedlings Grown with Slow-release Fertilizer in the Nursery Growing Medium. New Forest 31, 1–24 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-004-5396-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-004-5396-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation