Response of Longleaf, Sand, and Loblolly Pines to Pisolithus Ectomycorrhizae and Fertilizer on a Sandhills Site in South Carolina

Abstract

Abstract Barefoot seedlings were established on a deep sandy soil to test the responses of three pine species with ectomycorrhizae formed by Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt) or naturally occurring fungi in the nursery and with one of three fertilizer treatments applied during planting. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) had better survival and growth with Pt through seven growing seasons, but the effect of fertilizer was not significant for either ectomycorrhizal condition. Pisolithus tinctorius significantly increased the percentage of longleaf seedlings in active height growth after 3 years. Pisolithus tinctorius significantly improved growth of Choctawhatchee sand pine (P. clausa var. immuginata D. B. Ward) through 4 growing seasons, but survival of this species exhibited a significant interaction of ectomycorrhizal and fertilizer treatments. Pisolithus tinctorius significantly improved survival and growth of loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) only in the first growing season, and this species responded significantly to fertilizer in terms of increased survival and early growth. Ranking of 3- to 7-year growth of the three species was sand pine > loblolly pine > longleaf pine. Longleaf and Choctawhatchee sand pines, which are well adapted to sandy sites and are resistant to fusiform rust infection, are good choices for planting on deep sandy soils in the South Carolina sand-hills. For. Sci. 33(2):301-315.