Nitrapyrin (2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine), a nitrification inhibitor, may replace fertilizers for promoting cone bud production in southern pine seed orchards

Abstract

Male and female cone bud and cone production in loblolly (Pinustaeda L.) and slash (Pinuselliottiielliottii Engelm.) pine was significantly stimulated by June soil application of nitrapyrin (2-chloro-6-(trichloromethyl)-pyridine), a specific toxin for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Nitrapyrin presumably acts by conserving ambient soil nitrogen since only 1.5–2 g promoted cone buds as effectively as 150 g of elemental nitrogen from either ammonium or nitrate sources. Nitrapyrin may serve as a less costly substitute for nitrogen fertilization in seed orchards.