Production
of short-rotation woody crops grown with a range of nutrient and water
availability:
establishment report and first-year responses
Coleman, Mark D.; Coyle, David R.; Blake, J.; Britton, Kerry O.; Buford, M.; Campbell, R.G.; Cox, J.; Cregg, B.; Daniels, D.; Jacobson, M.; Johnsen, Kurt; McDonald, Timothy; McLeod, K.; Nelson, E.; Robison, D.; Rummer, R.; Sanchez, F.; Stanturf, John A.; Stokes, B.; Trettin, Carl; Tuskan, J.; Wright, L.; Wullschleger
Description
Many researchers have studied the productivity potential of intensively
managed forest plantations. However, we need to learn more about the effects
of fundamental growth processes on forest productivity; especially the
influence of above- and belowground resource acquisition and allocation.
This report presents installation, establishment, and first-year results
of four tree species (two cottonwood clones, sycamore, sweetgum, and loblolly
pine) grown with fertilizer and irrigation treatments. At this early stage
of development, irrigation and fertilization were additive only in cottonwood
clone ST66 and sweetgum. Leaf area development was directly related to
stem growth, but root production was not always consistent with shoot
responses, suggesting that allocation of resources varies among treatments.
We will evaluate the consequences of these early responses on resource
availability in subsequent growing seasons. This information will be used
to: (1) optimize fiber and bioenergy production; (2) understand carbon
sequestration; and (3) develop innovative applications such as phytoremediation;
municipal, industrial, and agricultural wastes management; and protection
of soil, air, and water resources.
Key words: Allocation, fertigation, fine-root growth, intensive management, interspecitic comparisons, leaf area
SREL Reprint #2735
Coleman, M. D., D. R. Coyle, J. Blake, K. Britton, M. Buford, R. G. Campbell, J. Cox, B. Cregg, D. Daniels, M. Jacobson, K. Johnsen, T. McDonald, K. McLeod, E. Nelson, D. Robison, R. Rummer, F. Sanchez, J. Stanturf, B. Stokes, C. Trettin, J. Tuskan, L. Wright and S. Wullschleger. 2004. Production of short-rotation woody crops grown with a range of nutrient and water availability: establishment report and first-year responses. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-72. Ashville, NC, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 21 p.
