Sulfur Amendment of Soil Improves Establishment and Growth of Firs in a Field Naturally Infested with Phytophthora1

Abstract

Abstract Acidification of soil from pH 6 to 4 by incorporating elemental sulfur reduced mortality and improved color and initial growth of Fraser fir, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir., and Canaan fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. var. phanerolepis Fernald, planted into a field that had previously experienced significant losses consistent with phytophthora root rot. Acidifying the soil improved tree color starting the year of planting and persisting through five years. During their second year after planting, extension of terminal growth was 12.5 vs. 5.6 cm (4.9 vs. 2.2 in) for plots with soil pH of 4 and 6, respectively, averaged across tree species. In subsequent years, the growth rate of trees was unaffected by having acidified the soil. Over the course of five years, the average annual mortality rate for the trees was 1.4, 4.0, 9.7, and 12.2% for Canaan fir (pH 4), Canaan fir (pH 6), Fraser fir (pH 4), and Fraser fir (pH 6), respectively. However, all tree mortality for Canaan fir planted into acidified soil occurred during the first two years. A root dip with potassium phosphite at the time of planting only benefitted Fraser fir. Minimizing losses of trees in this field would require planting species less susceptible or resistant to phytophthora root rot infection and soil acidification. Index words: soil acidification, phytophthora root rot, potassium phosphite, root dip Species used in this study: Fraser fir; Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.; Canaan fir; Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. var. phanerolepis Fernald Chemicals used in this study: acibenzolar-S-methyl (Actigard 50WDG); clothianidin (Arena 50WDG); imidacloprid (Xytect 2F); potassium phosphite (Helena Prophyt); sulfur