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RESPONSE OF NORTHWEST FORESTS TO
ELEMENTS OTHER THAN NITROGEN
S.
P. Gessel, E. C. Steinbrenner, and R. E. Miller
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
This paper reviews the derdopment of forest I:ee nutrition research
in the Northwest. Field observations, foliar analysis, and greenhouse
cultures using both solution .mdforest soil as media established defi­
ciency symptoms and levels for major and minor elements. Field ex­
(1950) and Walker,
(1955) on mineral nutrition of Northwest
The early work of Gessel and Walker
Gessel, and Haddock
forest species involved a series of greenhouse experiments us­
perimentation with the entire range of essential elements has failed to
ing sand, solution, or soil culture techniques. The need for all
demonstrate widespread defi,iencies of dements other than nitrogen.
Certain test areas have ShOlHt somewhat better response to combina­
essential elements by Northwest species was quickly demon­
tions of elements; but becau.(e of the limitations of experimental de­
effect of extreme, as well as low level deficiency. Methodol­
sign and field variation, the
sponse does not generally have a high
statistical significance. In sorle cases of apparent response, applica­
tion of fertilizer materials ot;,er than nitrogen does not appear to be
economic. There is sufficient evidence of response to other elememts
to suggest that much work nNds to be done. Increased utilization of
forest materials, shorter ror.:tion, and greater yields with nitrogen
fertilization all point to the c'ilct that many of the Northwest forest
areas could have future elemcttal deficiencies, other than nitrogen.
Forest fertilization reseal'Ch and practice has been addressed
concentrated on nitrogen. This may lead to the impression that
laboratory and field reseal'Ch on other elements, e.g., phos­
phorus, potassium, sulfur, has been totally neglected in the
Northwest. However, this r> not true as this review will show.
Specific interactions of N a:!d S are addressed in a separate pa­
per of this symposium.
Dry Wt.
GIS
Complete
- B
- FE
LOW N
LOW P
LOW K
LOW CA
LOW KG
LOW S
90.5
79.8
67.6
22.6
44.0
54.8
51.0
80.0
66.1
Yield i s total WI.
of
0.406
0.419
0.432
0.267
0.112
0.452
0.475
0.436
0.403
2.6
2.65
2.73
l.
2.67
3.07
3.18
2.68
2.76
Plants started in tanks April
Plants harvested N ovember 24.
22
I[
P
N
.
952
plant>
1952
1.80
1. 74
2.28
2.39
1. 70
0.36
2.30
1. 89
1. 75
plant (Romaine lettuce) as well as forest tree seedlings. These
experiments demonstrated that
(1) nutrient demands of forest
tree species on a soil system are different than Romaine let­
tuce, and (2) availability of eiements in a soil system is differ­
est trees thus became apparent as a result of these experiments
and is receiving much rese3!ch effort at the University of
Washington.
A common result from such experiments (Figure 3, Table 2)
P addition or, in
was that Romaine lettuce would die without
some cases, lime. Yet, forest seedlings in most forest soils
were relatively unaffected by additional
2.
1.04
0.94
0.94
1.44
1.04
1. 24
0.19
1.05
0.98
Yield of Romaine lettuce grown on low and mediUD lite
soils from Pack Forslt, La Grande,
the addition of f ertilizer••
Foliage Content
%
CA
KG
0.232
0.249
0.238
0.306
0.204
0.331
0.457
0.159
0.167
P. These experiments
also suggested that in some soils Mg or K were sufficiently low
Table
Yield and elemental composition of western redcedar in tank cultures. Treatment
The next step was to explore nutrient status of local forest
soils and effect of elemental additions by using a standard test
mycorrhizal relationships in modifying nutrient uptake by for­
in various sessions of this symposium. The discussions have
1.
ogy and typical results are shown in Tables 1 and 2 and Figures
1 and 2.
ent for forest trees than for the standard test plants. The role of
INTRODUCTION
Table
strated in solution cultures. These experiments established the
Soil
Ava. Dry Wt.
Treatment
Ca (Lime
,
K2P6J(ICa NOP6J(1 Ca
NzPOJ(1Ca
KzP6KOCa
N2P6J(ICaMg
N2P6J(ICaS
NZP6J(ICa8
K1P 2J(ICa
gma .
Wash1rtlton, with and without
5011 '84
'74
Percent of
KZP&K1C
0.13
3.59
1.29
0.10
3.87
3.05
2.79
3.93
3.93
·
Subscript. refer to el
pound. per acre.
a
4
100
36
3
108
85
78
109
109
Av. Dry We.
gma .
0.10
2.35
2.79
0.10
2.78
2.70
2.64
2.96
3.74
Percent of
NzP6J(1C.
4
100
119
4
118
115
112
126
159
ntal applic .tion levels in hundreds of
140
----- --------
>
I
growth of both Romaine lettuce and tree seedlings in
to reduce
ouse.
enh
re
the g
enhouse experiments were supplemented by field
gre
se
The
and by collection and analysis of foliage to estab­
ons
ati
bserv
al symptoms and actual elemental levels at which
visu
th
sh bo
exists
in conifers. Results from some of this work
y
nc
e ficie
.
Table
3.
in
wn
are sho
Recent greenhouse pot tests by Anderson (1979) on two soils
from the Quinault Indian Reservation demonstrated a response
by western hemlock and Sitka spruce to P as well as lime.
These soils have developed under high rainfall in the western
Olympic Mountain area, are quite acid, and have high Al con­
tents. Heilman and Ekuan.(l980) have also shown a P response
in greenhouse pot tests with Douglas-fir using a Washington
coa stal soil.
Early greenhouse tests with soils indicated that available N
supply was deficient in many forest soils and that response to N
application in the forest could be expected in western Wash­
ington (Table 4, Figure 4). As a result, a number of field trials
Figure 2. Douglas-fir seedlings after growth in nutrient solutions pic­
tured in Figure I.
Figure I. Douglas-fir seedlings growing in nutrient solutions to dem­
onstrate nutdent deficiencies.
Figure 3. Romaine lettuce growing in a forest soil with and without
elemental additions.
Figure 4. Radiata pine in forest soil with nitrogen and Boron addi­
tions.
A-No fertilizer; B-N3P4Kl; C-NOP41; D-N3PoK1; E-N3P4Ko;
F-N3PIOK1; G-N3P20K1; H-N3P20K1Lime (2Uacre)/L (subscripts
refer to hundreds of pounds per acre)
141
Table 3.
a
Results of tissue analysis of Douglas-fir and western redcedar.
Soil Texture and
Treatment
Year
Foliage
years
Growth
(A )
Vey gravelly loam
Chlorotic
Shallow loam
Chlorotic
Gravelly loam
Green
Elements Percent
Age
of
Ca
1949
1948 1947 1949
0.39
0.78
10
0.28
11
0.80
0.32
0.58
0.44
0.58
1948 Loam Green
Deep loam
Green 1947 0.28
1949
1948 0.38
1947 Cravelly loam 0.47
0.35
4
(B)
P
N
0.84
0.89
0.18
0.91
0.85
0.86
0.05
0.58
0.082
1.17
0.81
0.16
0.53
0.069
0.63
0.86
0.79
0.31
0.10
0.64
0.16
1.04
0.28
0.14
0.17
1.21
0.92
0.14
0.73
0.75
0.070
0.90
1.14
0.77
0.39
0.13
0.15
0.73
1.24
0.97
0.95
0.29
1.07
1.06
0.78
1.59
0.067
1.42
0.24
2.10
1.24
Western Redcedar
0.66.
0.063
11
1.78
0.70
0.52
0.059
100
1.31
0.94
0.55
0.090
1.10
100
Loam K
Douglas-fir
10
1949
1948 Mg
1.57
100
0.092
1. 27
0.70
1.44
a
From Gessel, S. P., R. B. Walker, and P. G. Haddack-Pre1iminary report on Mineral
eficiencies in Douglas-fir and Western redcedar.
field trials on Vancouver Island while working with MacMil­
lan-Bloedel Ltd. (Crossin, et al. 1966, Handley and Pienaar
Fo1ia,e Content
1972).
N
Treatmant Dry Wt.
%p
Young
Young
Old
Old
G!f/S P1
This early research at the University of Washington was sup­
plemented by studies carried out by Dr. Steinbrenner ( Weyer­
A-Control
0.112
0.55
3.98
0.72
0.103
haeuser Company); Dr. Strand (Crown Zellerbach Corpora­
1.15
B-N2P4Kl
18.56
0.104
1.52
0.153 0.64
0.173
0.94
3.29
0.125
C-NOP4Kl
tion); Dr. Heilman (Washington State University); and Dr. '
|
D-N2POKI
0.14 1
1.03
1.40
0.090
18. 4 9
Miller (U.S. Forest Service). In addition a comprehensive
0.160
E-N2P4KO
1.03
0.098
1.55
15.54
0.101
0.168
1.06
1.60
G-N2P4K1L
18.81
research effort to examine response of Northwest forest trees to
0.116
0.173
16.82
1.05
H-N2P4K1B 1.33
application of other elements is included in the Regional Forest
Fertilization Study (RFFS). Phase II of the RFFS included a
Not .. :
Planted Kay 10, 1951
complete
treatment with all essential elements. Results from
Harveotad Sapteaber 30, 1953
Nitrogen Addition, Kay 1953 this study are presented later in this report.
u...e at rate of 2 tona/a­
This brief history of the research effort about role of ele­
a at rate of 3.5 lb •• /A
ments other than N is given to show that considerable work has
were established at Pack Forest, on the Kitsap Peninsula, and been done. The laboratory and greenhouse work very early
near Darrington beginning in 1948 and continuing over a pe­ established the sufficient and d ficient levels in foliage of
riod of years. These field trials were generally designed to Douglas-fir, western redcedar, and Sitka spruce under con­
evaluate N at different levels and in different fonns, but also trolled conditions. An example of these levels from the work
other elements. Therefore, the treatments usually included N, of Chen (1955) is given in Table 5. A similar table for red alder
P, K, Mg singly and in combinations. An array of trace ele­ from research by Hughes (1967) is in Table 6. The level of
ments were also applied to many of the plots.
elements in many of our forest soils associated with the normal
Table 4 .
western redcedar--pot tea t aoi1
87--Pack
Forest.
These early tests were followed by a series of more complete
experiments to evaluate the relative response of both major and
minor elements. Some of these were established by Gessel and
Walker working in conjunction with Dr. T. N. Stoate who
joined the fertilizer research work in the Northwest after his
pioneering efforts in Australia. Dr. Stoate established many
and deficient foliage status were also established.
However, it has been much more difficult to demonstrate
ck
any general field response to elements other than N. The la
­
su
en
m
the
to
due
partially
be
of any convincing evidence may
th
rational and design problems of detecting small grow
s
or
ct
fa
and
responses, The great variation in stand stocking
142
.
ct growth within a series of forest plots generally
.
whlch a ffe
onse level of more than 10% for detectIOn. The
esp
r
a
s
're
reqUI
situations
parent deficiency of N under many forest
.
" eneral ap
N defithe
elements
until
other
to
response
col
tracts from
• sO de
ed.
. nc is correct
Cle'l1ly
results from
e remainder of this paper will summarize
. ous field experiments on the application of other elements
.
van
.
.
t pt to qlve some perspective to the d'rrectlon 0f future
and at em
summary will exclude the interrelationships
eded work. This
Nand S as that is covered in a separate paper of this sym-
elements, When other elements are included in complete treat­
ments with N, there is evidence of some additional growth .
response. However, this has generally not been established as
statistically significant or as an economic response. Most of the
field tests were established to screen other elements and not to
provide a basis for a thorough statistical examination. Results
from several of the test areas will be examined in greater
detail.
PACK FOREST
posium.
A large number .of fertilizer plots were established at the
Charles Lathrop Pack Forest of the University of Washington
near Eatonville in the 1950's. Treatments included various
amounts and forms of N with and without other elements.
Total N application has been substantial and has included
repeat treatments. We have selected a series of plots from Pack
Forest which allows a comparison of growth rates over a 21-yr
RESULTS FROM FIELD TRIALS
Field trials established at Pack Forest, the Kitsap Peninsula,
the Darrington area, and others in western Washington gener­
a\ly showed no marked response to a single application to ele­
ments other than N. This was true for both macro and micro
Table 5.
Mineral deficiency symptoms of Sitka spruce seedlings.
b
I
Element
D eficien y
Deficiency Symptoms
level
Nitrogen %
1. 84%
Foliage exhibited a pale yellow-green color,
which later turned to pale light green; roots
thin and long;
Phosphorus %
0. 097
seedlings stunted.
Older foliage reddish, later becoming necrotic
and dying;
stunted.
roots short and poor; seedlings
Calcium %
0.054
Youngest foliage paler, later burning to brown;
or browning at the tips of the youngest
Potassium %
0. 27
Older foliage necrotic and dying, or yellowish
brown at the tips of some needles depending
foliage.
upon the deficiency condition.
Magnesium %
0.066
Youngest needles yellowish,
entirely necrotic;
only,
older foliage
or necrotic at the tips
yellowish brown on the middle portion
and light green on the lower part.
In some
seedlings with more serious deficiency symptoms,
necrosis covered the whole branch,
youngest needles.
Roots short.
even the
Iron ug/g
104
Youngest foliage chlorotic; older foliage
Sulfur %
0.15
Foliage yellowish;
Boron ug/g
5. 4
Youngest needles curled closely into a
green; roots succulent.
"rosette",
roots long and succulent.
dark gray green color;
roots
short, with the branches somewhat bulbous
on the ends.
a
The quantities
stven
were the levels found in the foliage of
Chen, H. F. Growth and mineral uptake of Sitka
University
of
Unpublished thesis.
spruce in solution cultures.
.
deficient seedlings.
Washington, 1955.
143
period under no fertilizer, two levels of N, and N plus other elements. Original sites for these plots were comparable as
Table 7.
Response to nitrogen and other elements with
low site Douglas-fir at Pack Forest.
shown by the periodic annual increment (p.a.i.) and they were
generally a low site IV for Douglas-fir. This selection of plots
Treatment
2l-yr p.a.i. (Gross)
Elements Ib/acre
Plot No.
does show a greater p.a.i. over the 21-yr growth period from
Pc3/acre
addition of a number of other elements. However, the results
do not permit examination of the effect of any one element
other than N (Table 7).
Control
40
N-366
15
N-600
est tree nutrition on a portion of their land in Columbia Valley,
Whatcom County, Washington. This is a glacial outwash soil
Ca147,
524
N746, P420,
F-42
N746,
F-43
Ave.
Hg
14, 5924
P176, Kl34, Ca408, B5, S911 (and other trace e1e ments-) which exhibited poor growth of coniferous species. Nitrogen
. Ave.
applications during 1958-1962 produced response but the
Table 6.
a
Deficiency guidelines for red alder seedlings as observed in
sand medilDn.
Foliar Percentage
Deficient
Corresponding
with Deficiency
a
Nitrogen
Effect on
Growth
Visual Symptoms of
Deficiency
Stem height and
Small, pale green
weight, weight
of roots and
foliage.
Stems
slender and reddish
foliage sig­
nificantly
Roots small and thin.
reduced.
Phosphorus
0.16
Stem height arid
weight,
weight of
No, specific symptoms.
roots and foliage
significantly
reduced.
PotassilDn
0. 4
Stem height and
weight,
weight
of roots and fol­
iage significant­
ly reduced.
Margins o ' foliage
chloroticj later
turning bright
orange-flscorched. "
Older foliage af­
fected first.
CalcilDn
Magnesium
0. 08
0.11
Stem height
No specific symp­
growth reduced.
toms.
Weight of fol­
iage signifi­
Gray or brown spot­
ting along leaf mar­
cantly reduced
because of
abscissed fol­
iage.
gins, spreadirig in­
ward through inter­
veinal areas.
Abscis­
sion typically occur­
ring while areas ad­
jacent to veins still
green.
Older foliage
affected first.
Large
amounts of abscissed
foliage.
a
Approximate guideline values.
very likely.
b
Below this value nitrogen deficiency is
Strong nitrogen deficiency was found at 2.7% however, so
nitrogen deficiencies above 2.7% are probable in some instances.
144
138.6
184.7
N975, P35, K25,
IN
132.1
210.2
267.2
N-600
14
Bloedel Timberlands has supported an investigation of for­
Ave.
N-366
36
COLUMBIA VALLEY
145.1 Control
15
F-41
217.6
219.9
271.5 252.3 262.4
Company lands near Shelton, Washington. This is referred to
ble and generally not up to expectations. Dr.
S w ere varia
rcsl IIt
ate est ablished an array of other elemental applications in
s tands in addition to N . Results from these plots give us
' p ortunit y to examine the effect of N alone or with combih O p
andS.
ns ofN, P, K,
Ilat io
application on the plots chosen for this review is
S
r,
ve
w
e
Ho
included, a lower site at Heady
11 . Two site qualities are
high er site at Helicopter Road. A portion of both
o d and a
initial N application of 200 Ib/acre in 1962.
as received an
1 )70 both areas received a moderate commereial thinning.
as the Project 13 experiment because of the geographical loca­
·
S ose
tion. This discussion will not detail the history of the study but
will examine those aspects related to other elements. The treat­
ments and the growth summary through 1975 are given in
Table 9. Results represent two plots for each treatment. The
experiment included stocking control by commercial thinning
;:n:
and up to 1975 only the initial fertilizer treatment.
As in other experiments, there appears to be evidence of a
rre
slightly better response when P is included in the treatment.
estab lished at that time to test N along with P, K,
ots were
case of the Helicopter Road area, plots were also
the
III
nd S.
in a previously unfertilized strip. These
fertilized
d
an
d
inn e
arc the C-Series. Period c annual increment for the period
1970-1975 for all plots is given in Table 8. The increments are
The gain is somewhat better in ilie thinned stand. The duration
of response seems to be slightly better with additional elements
(Table 9). Because of plot-to-plot variations, the response to
addition l elements is not statistically significant. However the
apparent increase in growth with the addition K in the thinned
adj usted for differences in initial stocking. There is some evi­
dence of additional response from P but the results are not
plots should be studied.
ficant.
stat istically signi
REGIONAL FERTILIZER PROGRAM
PROJEC T 13
As a component of Phase II of this program, a series of 1140­
acre plots were established in the proximity of Phase I and II
One of the more extensive tests of the effect of elements in
ad dition to N was established in 1958 on Simpson Timber
installations. These plots received the entire range of macro
Table 8. Comparison of Irowth rea poole fro. nitrosen and other
elements for two lites in Columbia Valley, WA.
TrUtlllent lb/acre
1962
1970
C
S
N
F
P
J:
0
0
0
96
128
0
0
0
Adjusted Net p.a.i. 1970-75
ft3/acre/yr
Beady JI.d.
F
200
200
200
200
200
0
0
0
0
0
0
270
216
216
128
0
0
8
. Seriee - 200 1b/N/acre
Only 1970 treataent.
Table 9.
in
Seriu
C
151.0
272.0
217 .8
217.6
153.1
236.7
307.9
216.6
308.2
38 9.7
Seriee
1962 plus 1970 treatment.
b
F
JI.d
Series
191.7
231.9
227.4
263.8
285.4
b
C-Serie. ­
Comparison of growth response from nitrogen and other elements for thinned and
unthinned stands at the Project 13 area,
Treatment
p. a. i.
Lb/acre
;.
128
Helicopter
Thinned
p. a. i.
Ft3/acre/yr
Ft3/acre/ yr
1965-1975
1958-1965
Control
269. 2
5-119
237. 0
N-300, K-B7
N-300, P-BB, 5-154
361 . 0
P-8B, K-B7, Ca-204
N-300
N-300, P-BB, K-B7,
Shelton, WA.
265.0
23B. 4
310. 3
5-154
w/o nitrogen
wi Nitrogen
W/Nitrogen and other elements
253.1
35B. 6
1 45
p.a. i.
Ft3/acre/yr
1965-1975
319. 6
23 7. 6
345.B
264. 5
264. B
339.7
265.1
290.6
38B . 9
303. 2
251.6
339. 2
255.5
2 9B. 6
365. 5
2B1.8
290. 5
346. 4
Ft3/acre/yr
1958-1 965
344.4
304. 4
3B1 . 4
Unthinned
271.5
300.B
333 . 6
p.a. i.
367.9
360. 2
277.2
277. 6
:1
and micro elements (Table to). They covered a wide range of
to draw any definite conclusion about basal area growth
stand, site, age class, and soil conditions. Growth in basal area
response in complete treatment plots over 4OO-N plots because
was determined after 6 yr and compared to growth on control
of the limited range of the data and differences in size and
plots and on plots that received
character of the plots."
200 and 400 Ib N/acre. The
analysis is complicated by the differences in plot size and the
fact that the l/40-acre plots are generally better stocked and
USDA FOREST SERVICE TRIALS
more uniform than the litO-acre plots. Therefore, the relative
average response, was calculated for each treatment based on
An objective of these field trials was to detect the effect of
11). The result is an
nutrient elements other than N on tree growth. It was suspected
untreated plots of the same size (Table
increase of about
25% in the basal area growth due to 400 that' deficiencies in one or more nutrients existed or could
29% in the basal area develop after N deficiencies were corrected. Attaining this
Iblacre of N and an average increase of
objective, however, was secondary to that of quantifying the
growth due to the complete treatment.
effects ?f various N fertilizers and dosages on growth of Doug­
This would indicate some marginal benefit from the com­
las-fir stands.
plete treatment but it does not appear to be worth the additional
expense of the additional
557 Ib of fertilizer and the application
To minimize costs of this secondary effort, .the general
(1) Compare
research strategy, was to proceed in two phases:
cost. However, there is some evidence that response of basal
effects of N versus N + other elements on growth of individ­
area growth to N may decline at very high initial basal areas.
Since the l/40-acre plots are much higher in basal area, the
ual' trees.
estimate of
response t
29% response may be underestimating gain by a
Presumably, the
need for-and therefore
the
ther elements would be increased by the accom­
complete treatment in stands of lower to initial basal area (i.e., panying N dosage. If the complete treatment, e.g., NPKS, was
clearly more stimulating of diameter and/or height growth,
200 fl/acre rather than 250 ft2/acre).
Dr. Rustagi (1979) of the College of Forest Resources fac­ then, (2) start new trials to determine which element(s) was
responsible. Thus in Phase I, fertilizers containing NPKS were
ulty did a separate statistical analysis of the regional fertilizer
applied within a 44-87 ft2 area around dominant or codominant
complete treatment plots and concluded, "It would be difficult
Table io. Fertilizer applied to Regional Fertilizer Progrlllll
p10ta for complete treatment.
Rate per acre
(pound.)
Element
Table 11.
Nitrogen
Ph osphorus
Pota. . ium
Calcium
Magnesium
Iron
IIanganesa
Zinc
Copper
Ho1ybdenUII
Boron
Sulfur
400
100
100
164
Total
957
Material
Urea
Treble-super- phosph ate
Potaa.iua chloride
Treble-super-phosphate and dolomite
Dolomite
'errous . ulfate
Kangen.. e sulfate
Unc . ulfa te
Copper sulfate
SodiUII molybdate
Borax
Above products
SO
SO 15
15
8
0.5
1
54
2
Comparison of gross basal area growth (ft /acre) with ". nitrogen and nitrogen plus complete fertilizer unthinned regional plots for 4 yr. Phase
1
1
2
2
No of
Plots
Size
135
1/10
135
65
65
Treat
ON
B
0
B
4
llB
204. 2
236. 5
227. 0
25. 8
245. 7
ON
*
1/40 Complete 249. 9
279. 0
33. 8
1/10
4N
201. 2
1/40
146
293 . 6
32. 3
43. 7
llB diff
Relative
Response %
6. 5
25%
9.9
29%
d the subsequent growth of these center or subject trees
ueC5 n
mpar ed to that of similar trees treated with only N at the
was c
' was f requentIy possage. Through thois proeedure, it
I8me N do
.
each treatment at a
0
f
lcations
repI"
more
or
n SiX
'bl to gai
statistically
sensitive test
more
a
have
thus
nd
location a
elements
tests
other
Such
of
elements.
it ( N ve rsus N + other
OreWashington
and
western
in
made at nine locations
(Table 12) .
At three of the nine locations, the addition of other elements
of Douglas-fir. Differences among treat­
lim ula ted growth
0.10). Thus, at loea­
ically
significant (P
statist
e
ents wer
growth
of
trees
fertilized
with
NPKS grew 27%
3,
ons 2 and
did
trees
fertilized
only
with
the same N
than
to 62CK more
lb/acre.
Surprisingly,
at
both
locations,
the 300­
dosage of 300
5 v:n
:ere
on
,
6
=
Response of individual Douglas-fir trees to nitrogen and other nutrients in
Tabla 12.
U.I. Forast
and
/
Trial
Quilcene, WA
WA
Parent asterial
St
Age
Site
Thinned
Traatment and Reapona
Fertilized
N
WA
CarBon, WA
aoaeburg, OR
11 I
11 il I
I
I! N
+
othera
1
glacial drift
28
V
Yea
No
400
158
NPxr}/
132
2
glacial till
40
IV
no
No
300
87
NP
114 3
glacio-lacustrine
80
IV
No
No
4
glacial till
8
V
No
No
300
98
Washington and Oreaon,
5
6
7
glacial till/
basalt
ash pumi
/
ce
aandstone
75
11
Yes
20
V
YeB
15
V
IV
No
No
No No
XsJ:.
NP
160 /
NP
136
300
NP'I.S:!:..1
182
191
222
200
150
113
8
t uff/breccia
60
IV
No
No 150
123
9
tuff / breccia
72
IV
Yea
No
300
91
Othera
Respon.e
Variable
Period
Reference
Vol
10
1.1
Vol
10
].1
Vol
10
1./
ht
ht
4
4
b.a.
5
/
300
131
.!'
'l.S:!:.I
35N, 40S
101
ye.'!./ KcCleary,
wes te rn
Service Trial••
Location
Sequim,
N dosage in these overstocked stands failed to stimulate
growth, but a 600-N dosage almost doubled growth. At loca­
tion 4, potassium sulfate was 13% more effective than
ammonium sulfate when both were sprayed on Douglas-fir
saplings. Yet, the same potassium sulfate treatment failed to
stimulate growth of nearby saplings in the same stand that had
been fertilized with 800 lb N/acre. These results were contrary
to expectations, because it had been previously determined that
heavy N dosages greatly reduced the concentrations of sulfate­
S in the (oliage. Therefore, it was assumed that additions of K
and S to N-fertilized trees would be stimulating because pre­
ceding dosage of 800 Ib N/acre would have created a defi­
ciency of S, and possibly K.
At the remaining six locations, other elements applied with
98'1., 405
114
102
d.b.h.
220
NP'l.Sa/
135
ht
5
5
6
/
1;/
Vol
8
].1
114
Kil/
NP
137
NP
86
Vol
/
b.a.
6
10
Treatment in pounds element per acre and response as percent of unfertilized control.
Equal N dosage + 15P + 100'1. + 50S pounds per acre.
Unpublished data on file at Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Olympia, WA.
Trees fertilized with 800 pounds N per acre in 1970, then refertilized with
'I. and
S in 1972.
Hiller, R. E., and D. L. Reukema. 1974. Seventy-five-year-old Douglas-fir on high quality site respond to nitrogen
fertilizer. USDA For. Servo Res. Note PNW-237, B p. Pac. NW For. t. Range Exp. Stn., ·Portland, OR.
Hiller, R. E., and D. L. Reukema.
1977.
Urea fertilizer increases growth of 20-year-old, thinned Douglas-fir on a
poor quality site. USDA For. Servo Res. Note PNW-291, 8 p.
Pac. NW For. t. Range Exp. Stn., Portland, OR.
Equal N dosage + BOP + 140S.
147
3/
J./
].1
-I
N failed to stimulate growth of Douglas-fir more than did the
N-only treatment; none of the differences were statistically sig­
nificant at P
0.10.
The results from these Forest Service trials indicate the need
for continued screening of locations for response to elements
other than N. Many extensive soil and climatic strata remain
untested. Initial results suggest that the additional gains in tree
growth from elements other than N are marginal--relative to
the additional costs of fertilizers and application.
southwestern Washington, Heilman (1971) concluded there
was no response to P, K, S, or B. For coastal soils, Heilman
(1980) and Anderson (1979) have both demonstrated response
to P under greenhouse conditions.
=
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Laboratory and greenhouse experiments have demonstrated
that Northwest forest tree species require the same essential
elements as agricultural plants. Foliar analysis of field-grown
trees shows a great range in concentration of elemsnts. Soil
analysis also shows a wide range of elsmental supply in many
forsst soils, and apparent near deficient levels in foliar concen­
trations leads to the expectation of a growth response when
these elements are added to a N fertilizer.
A considerable number of fertilizer experiments have been
established to investigate this expectation. A review of results
from these experiments shows occasional evidence of a growth
response, but it is quite variable from experiment to experi-
WEYERHAEUSER COMPANY TRIALS
Weyerhaeuser Company has extensive field tests of N alone
and N in combination with other elements. One of these exper­
iments, which was a single tree treatment with a factorial
design, showed significant reduction of growth when other ele­
"
ments, especially K, was applied without N.
A long term fertilization experiment near Yacolt, Washing­
ton ; originally established for seed production purposes ; has
involved periodic additions of both N and P. Results on this
relatively high quality site show a significant response to N,
but no response to P; however, P was not tested as a separate
treatment. Figure 5 shows the volume response for the initial
(1955-1959) and a later (1964-1969) "period of fertilizer appli­
cations. The total weight of each nutrient applied during the 5­
yr period is depicted on the volume response bar. The
1960--1964 and 1970--1974 periods are not shown as only N
was applied in the former and no fertilizer was applied in the
later. The influence of P application was statistically nonsignif­
icant in both periods shown.
Figure 5. Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus on volume response
of young Douglas-fir on Yacolt plots.
80
\955-59
Period
60
40
OTHER RESEARCH
This paper has not attempted an exhaustive examination of
all forest fertilization research in the Pacific Northwest with
respect to elements other than N. However, we have tried to
review results from a variety of sources and also elicit informa­
tion by personal contact, especially regarding positive
response.
An important contribution is the work of Bartlett (1977) who
has made a thorough study of the many plots established on
Vancouver Island by the late Dr. T. N. Stoate. Bartlett
summarizes the examination in the following words:
20
0
80
..
'_--LL:","",'--"
,
..L....J
1964-69
LL-JLA:c..:..l....-=:'c:..:J..-=J.:..:J.---'£.,,",-,'--UJ.j.
-" ____
Period
60
"Response to NS, NP8, and NPK was common to most experiments
and was often greater than N alone, especially NS and NPS."
40
He suggested that NPKS together gave poor results, possi­
bly because of ion antagonism. He believes that a fertilizer of
NPS at the rates of 287, 161, 92 lb/acre gave the best response.
Heilman (1973) reported a response by hemlock and Doug­
las-fir saplings to lime in greenhouse tests, using Olympic Pen­
insula soils. In a field experiment with Douglas-fir in
20
148
';::
'.
I }
".
:
A
Treatment
--
'7:
.. .
J
r
- .--
!
k9/ OO
Soo
400
300
200
\00
that an economical
present there is little evidence
Olcnl. At
In other
elements.
additional
from
ed
esult
nS e has r
po
for
fertilizer
and the
the
pay
not
res rd the extra -growth would
wo s,
.
lication cost
e that this means research on the role of
believ
t
no
e do
N in the nutrition of Northwest trees
than
r
othe
.
,
c1cments.
contrary, we belteve that It should
the
n
O
ase.
hou Id ce
d be more innovative. Most of the research has been
Incre ..."se an
called a screemng effort. Other elements have
w hol m ay be
the hope that a "sore thumb" effect would
be
with
ed
a ppli
case
of certain elements applied to forests in the
in
as
d
rimental
design and mensurational tech­
expe
e
Th
ustr
' alia. .
to detect less pronounced
sufficient
been
not
ues ha ve
variability
encountered
in plots within natgreat
e . The
po s
experiments
field
and calls for
the
all
xes
comple
r 1 forests ,
agriculture
would
experience
of
the
Further,
lt er design.
develop
elements
other
might
the
of
suggest that deficiencies
s
harvests.
after furthe r rotation and
We also believe, and find some experimental evidence to
support our belief, that response,to thsr elements will be more
oil specific than response to N. NItrogen response appears to
.r
·
:
Chen, Hsien-Fang.
Crossin, E. c., J. A. Marlow, and O. L. Ainscough.
1966. A progress report on forest nutrition studies on Vancouver
Island. For. Chr. 42(3):265-284.
Fraser, A.
1976. Five-year growth response of Douglas-fir to fertilization in
the Sayward Forest, Vancouver Island. Research Note 77. B.C.
Forest Service, Victoria, B.C. .
: IOP
have no highly significant relationship to soil series but this
quest ion is being closely examined at the present time.
Response to other elements should receive more research effort
direct ed toward soil series relationships. We also believe that a
combination of field tests and tests under the more controlled
condit ions of a greenhouse or growth chambermust be used.
Finally, evidence that forest trees will respond to a combina­
tion of elements better than N alone is developing from the var­
(Picea sitchensis
1955. Growth and mineral uptake of Sitka spruce
in solution cultures. M.S. thesis, Univ. Washington, Seattle.
Gessel, S. P., R. B. Walker, and P. O. Haddock. Preliminary report on mineral deficiencies in Douglas-fir and Western Redcedar. p. 364-369. 1950 SSSA.Proc. 15. Gessel, S. P., T. N. Stoate, and K. J. Turnbull. 1969. The growth' behavior of Douglas-fir with nitrogenous fer­
tilizer n Western Washington. 119 p. Univ. Washington, Institute
of ForestProducts Contribution 7.
Handley, D. L., and L. V.Pienaar.
1972. Forest nutrition studies in Douglas-fir on Vancouver Island:
A second report. For. Chr. 48(1):88-91.
Heilman,P.
1971. Effects of fertilization <in Douglas-fir in Southwestern Wash­
ington. Circular 535. 23 p. Wash. Agric. Exp. Station, WSU, Pull­
man.
Heilman,P., and G. Ekuan.
1973. Response of Douglas-fir and western hemlock to lime. For.
Sci. 1963,220-224.
Heilman,P.,and G. Ekuan.
1980. Effects of phosphorus on growth arid mycorrhizal develop­
ment of Douglas-fir. SSSA Journal 44(1 ): 115-119.
Hughes, D. R.
1967. Red alder deficiency symptoms and fertilizer trials. M.S.
thesis, 144 p. Univ. Washington, Seattle.
Miller,R. E., and D. L. Reukema.
1977. Urea fertilizer increases growth of 20-year-old thinned
ious sewage sludge research and forest land applications. More
Douglas-fir on' a poor quality site. USDA For. Serv. Res. Note
careful analysis of these may help to eventually develop the
PNW-29 I , 8 p. Pac. Northwest For. and Range Exp. Stn.,Port­
fertilization recommendation which will produce the most eco­
nomical wood supply for each forest owner.
land,OR.
Miller,R. E., and D. L. Reukema.
1978.
Seventy-five-year-old
respond to nitrogen
Douglas-fir
on
fertilizer. USDA For.
high
site-quality
Serv. Res. Note
PNW-237, 8 p. Pac. Northwest For. and Range Exp. Stn., Port­
land, OR.
Rustagi, K., and l. Gupta.
LITERATURE CITED
1979. An evaluation response of Douglas-fir stands to multiple
nutrient fertilization application. Interim report. 9 p. Regional Fert.
.
Proj.
Anderson, S.
1979. Assessment of conifer growth and nutrition on two coastal
Washington forest soils. M.S. thesis, 93 p., Univ. Washington,
Seattle.
Steinbrenner,E. C.
1980. Growth response of young Douglas-fir to repeated applica­
tion of nitrogen and phosphorus. (in press-SSSA Journal, 1980).
Bartlett,1. S.
1977. Growth response of fertilized Douglas-fir on Vancouver
Island. M.S. thesis, 119 p. University of Toronto, Ontario, Can­
ada.
Walker, R. B.,S.P. Gessel,andP. O. Haddock.
149
1955. Greenhouse studies in mineral requirements of conifers:
Western Redcedar. For. Sci. 1:51-60.