Fertilization and Liming Effects on the Growth and Nutrition of Bareroot Jeffrey Pine Outplanted on an Eastern Sierra Nevada Surface Mine

Abstract

Abstract Two controlled-release fertilizer formulations, High N 22-4-6 + Minors and Forestry Dry Site 21-6-2 + Minors, and dolomitic lime were evaluated for their capacity to enhance establishment and nutrition of bareroot Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) on an eastern Sierra Nevada surface mine. All amendments were applied at outplanting to the backfill of augered planting holes using a low rate of 8 g and a high rate of 16 g for the two fertilizers and a single 26 g rate for lime. Seedlings without fertilizer or lime served as the control treatment. Survival was unaffected by fertilization regardless of formulation and rate, while height, diameter, and volume growth were increased significantly after three growing seasons. The response to High N exceeded that to Dry Site, and the 16 g application was more stimulatory than 8 g. Liming decreased seedling survival and growth throughout the study. Fertilization increased N, P, and K foliar concentrations while depressing the concentrations of several micronutrients and Al. The influence of the lime amendment on seedling nutrition was sporadic and marginal. These results indicate that controlled-release fertilization at outplanting is a viable means of elevating seedling performance on eastern Sierra Nevada surface mines and similar harsh sites, while the liming approach used here was counterproductive to achieving reforestation objectives. West. J. Appl. For. 17(1):23–30.