Abstract
ABSTRACT In Portugal, chestnut wood demand has increased in the last decades. Since chestnut plantations are usually established in low fertility soils, addition of N, P and K as fertilizers usually have a benefic effect in increasing wood productivity. The study aims to evaluate the effects of fertilization on growth of chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivated for wood purposes. An experimental essay was established in a 3-year old chestnut tree stand with a planting spacing of 3.5 × 3.0 m. Four treatments were applied to randomized blocks with three repetitions: control (C), addition of phosphorus (P), addition of phosphorus and potassium (PK) and addition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). The chemical properties of the soil and the concentration of nutrients in the leaves were evaluated after the treatment, and measurements of tree diameter and stem height were made for a monitoring period of 4 years. Treatments did not affect soil properties or leaf nutrient concentrations. On the counterpart, the effect of the fertilizers was noticed for tree dimensions and growth. Gains of NPK in relation to the control were observed for the height variable, over the years. Seven years after application of the treatments, differences were also noticed for the diameter and the volume index variables. The NPK treatment has presented a significant effect on tree growth compared to the control, with noticeable gains in the stem height.
Highlights
The chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is a deciduous tree, from the family Fagaceae, of mediumlarge dimensions, reaching a height of 30-35 m, which may present great longevity
The chestnut tree vegetates well in places with average annual temperatures between 8 and 15o C, being the coldest month above 1o C (Laranjo et al, 2007). It requires a minimum rainfall between 600 and 800 mm (Conedera et al, 2016), with average annual precipitations between 800 and 1600 mm (Laranjo et al, 2007). It is a valuable species with high economic importance as it can be managed for timber production and for fruit production, being able to generate other positive externalities, namely with regard to the production of mushrooms (Marques, 2007)
Differences were noticed for the concentration of potassium (K), one year after the treatment, with at least one treatment presenting a higher concentration of potassium than the other
Summary
The chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is a deciduous tree, from the family Fagaceae, of mediumlarge dimensions, reaching a height of 30-35 m, which may present great longevity (up to 1000 years). It requires a minimum rainfall between 600 and 800 mm (Conedera et al, 2016), with average annual precipitations between 800 and 1600 mm (Laranjo et al, 2007) It is a valuable species with high economic importance as it can be managed for timber production (high forest or coppice) and for fruit (chestnuts) production, being able to generate other positive externalities, namely with regard to the production of mushrooms (Marques, 2007).
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