Initial response on nutritional status of a young Pinus radiata D.Don plantation to wood-ash application

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the application of wood-bark ash as a amendment and fertilizer of a young plantation of Pinus radiata grown on an acid soil. Two different doses of ash (5.000 and 10.000 kg ha-1) and one dose of 8:24:16 NPK fertilizer (200 g in hole) were applied at establishment. The response of the soil solid fraction and foliar chemical composition was studied throughout 28 months. Fertilization of the soil with wood-bark ash produced an increase in soil pH, at the same time increasing the availability of Ca, Mg, P and K. Related to this increase, the needle levels of Ca and, in a lower extent, Mg were also higher. Possible diagnosis of vector analysis of foliar nutrient contents and concentrations showed that these two elements limited the species growth.