About This File: . . . Ion. the prin ted publica t a b d te cr s ThiS ile w a Y c ted; y f . . a re ha ve been corre d b, t . Mlssca ns I d en tI Ie y rem ain. takes ma how ever, some mis f ! : 'I" ;; ; RESPONSE OF DOUGLAS-FIR TO FOLIAR FERTILIZATION Richard E. Miller In 1969, Donald C. Young, research chemist with Union Oil Company, and I began investigating the use of foliar sprays of Summarize past research about spray application of 1 0 to 32 per­ concentrated N solutions to fertilize Douglas-fir and associated cent nitrogen solutions to seedlings and established stands of Doug­ conifers. Our' research questions were: (1) Will Douglas-fir las-fir. These investigations establish that Douglas-fir and associated absorb N efficiently through its needles? (2) Can conifers toler­ conifers can be foliarly fertilized with concentrated nitrogen solutions ate practical dosages of 20%-32% N solutions? (3) What is the at dosages of 50 to 200 pounds per acre; however, fertilization with growth response? these solutions requires more critical selection of nitrogen source, I will share current answers to these questions and describe dosage, additives, and, perhaps, time of year than does fertilization some of our field, greenhouse, and laboratory investigations. with urea prill. Some burning, up to about 30 percent of the needle ABSTRACT surface, is visually disturbing but probably has no measurable effects on growth. With low dosages and careful application, gains in cubic volume or height growth per pound of applied nitrogen were si,hUar for both spray and prill. Yet costs per pound of applied nitrogen have been about 25 percent more for 32 percent nitrogen solutions than for prilled urea. Hence, foliar application of concentrated nitrogen solu­ tions is currently less cost effective than conventional use of urea sol­ ids for fertilizing Douglas-fir and associated conifers. INTRODUCTION METHODS FERTILIZERS AND APPLICATION Table 1 lists some of the tested fertilizers and their character­ istics. Because of its high N content, solution urea-ammonium nitrate (SUAN) was used most frequently in our trials. These fertilizers were either applied by hand t<\ seedlings or by heli­ copter in two field trials in established stands. Table 1. i,l, Foliar application of nutrient solutions in agriculture has generally been used to supply elements-required in small quan­ tities by plants. To supply nutrients such as N, P, and K, it has , been generally thought necessary to use dilute solutions to avoid burning plant foliage. For example, previous investiga­ tors of foliarly 'fertilizing conifers with N used solutions con­ taining less than 3% N (Schultz 1968, Eberhardt and Pritchett 1971, Paavelainen 1972). If, however, such dilute solutions are useq to fertilize established stands of conifers with N, then repeated applications of high volume sprays are necessary to supply enough nutrient before the spray drip-point is reached. Consequently, the cost of application is less attractive than conventional soil applications of dry fertilizers. Yet foliar feeding may provide greater efficiency and econ­ omy of fertilizer use if most of the applied nutrient entered the plant directly.instead of passing through the soil where losses and fixations occur. Fertilizers tested and their characteristics. Fertilizer FriZZed Urea SoZution Urea Ammonium nitrate Urea ammonium nitrate Ammonium polyphosphate Analysis a Weight (lb/gal) N (lb/ gal) Abbre­ viation 46-0-0 PU 20-0-0 9.4 1.9 SU 20-0-0 10.5 2.1 SAN 32-0-0 11.1 . 3-.6 SUAN 10-34-0 a A ctual analysis of solutions depends on ambient temperature; these values are for 60°F; sailing-out occurs at lower temperatures. 62 SAP LOCATIONS RESULT We onducted field trials at·five locations in western Wash­ ington and Oregon ( Figure 1.). These were 6- to 7-yr-old stands of Douglas-fir or Douglas-fir and associated conifers. Labora­ tory analyses and greenho).lse investigations supported these . field trials. NITROGEN ABSORPTION We currently have crude measures of the speed of N uptake and the percentage of applied N that is foliarly absorbed. Pre­ sumably fertilizer that is not foliarly absorbed is eventually washed to the soil and utilized like conventional dry fertilizers. Application of 50 lb N/atre as solution urea-ammonium nitrate to 6-ft tall Douglas-fir before the growing season apparently increased internal concentration from 1.43% to 1.74% within 48 hours ( Table 2). Greater increases occurred when the same. or 100 lb of N were applied after the growing season (Table 2); N concentrations were nearly doubled. Moreover, we esti­ mated that 21% and 45% of the 50- and 100- N dosages, respectively, were within the foliage of these trees within 48 hours after treatment. In another trial, we applied prilled urea ( PU) and various N solutions at dosages of 20 to 160 lb of N/acre to Douglas-fir seedlings prior to bud burst. During the 3-month period after treatment, were observed faster and greater improvement in tree color with sprays than with urea prill. Moreover, increased N in new needles which did not directly receive the N solution sugg sts that some of the applied N was foliarly absotbed and then translocated and utilized. Figure 1. Location and stand age of field trials of foliar fertilization. \ • • .EDDYCR .. (6 year-old) : '--'"'� .SLABCAMP (40 & 70 year-old) • SHERMAN VALLEY (4 & 9 year-old) -.SHIVELEYCR. (20 year-old) • HATCHERY RD. (B year-old) Table 2. Nitrogen concentration in Douglas-fir foliage 48 hours after foliar application of a 32% N solution. Composite samplea o N dosage 50 - - - - - - - - - - lb N/acre - - - - - - 100 - - - - - Applied before 1975 growing season (1974 foliage) A B X 1.78 1. 70 1.74 (+22%) 1.44 1.42 1. 43 Applied after 1975 growing season (1974 foliage) A B X 1.98 1.89 1.94 (+48%) 1.18 1.44 1. 31 2.25 2.14 2.20 (+68%) (1975 foUage) A B X 1. 35 1. 28 1. 32 2.28 2.31 2.30 (+74%) a 2.48 2.43 2.46 (+86%) Each composite consisted of equal amounts of foliage from three randomly located trees. 63 /' II i I SPRAY DAMAGE In a lathhouse trial under well-watered conditions, however, increased growth was associated with increased damage ( Fig­ As indicated by their weight per gallon relations ( Table 1), ure 2). Thus, favorable environmental conditions of this trial these liquid fertilizers are concentrated salt solutions. There­ apparently compensated for the potentially negative effects of fore, it is not surprising that foliage and, in some cases, twigs burning. In foliar fertilization of Douglas-fir under field condi­ are burned or damaged by them. We suspect two types of dam­ tions, however, successful use of concentrated solutions age: (1) Osmotic burning or cell collapse which results from a requires critical selection of materials, dosages, and time of large difference in osmotic pressure across the cell wall; and year. Maintaining a balance between a large N dosage to (2) free ammonia damage which increases as solution pH extend duration of response and an acceptable degree of exceeds 6.5. We believe that osmotic burning is the principal osmotic burning also necessitates c1oser control of fertilizer type of damage caused by these liquid fertilizers (Miller and distribution than with urea prill. In the two trials that follow, We compared a 32% urea­ Young 1976). We observed foliar burning within 1 hour of fer­ ammonium nitrate .solution with prilled urea under operational tilizing herbaceous vegetation and within severalhours of foli­ conditions. The observed relationships between foliar and twig arly fertilizing Douglas-fir. Numerous factors affect foliar or twig burning; these damage and volume growth will have special interest to land managers. include: Factor Damage N source N dosage (lb/acre) Season (temperature) Phenology SAP < SU < SAN < SUAN 50 < 100 < 200 < 400 fall < spring < summer dormant < active Coverage (N per foliage are) light < heavy SHIVELY CREEK The Trial-In a recently thinned, 20-yr-old Douglas-fir stand near CanyonvH1e in southwestern Oregon, we compared tree growth in a spray-treated area with growth in an adjacent nonsprayed area, where plots were either hand-treated with urea prill or unfertilized (Miller and Wert 1979). Although prill was applied before the start of diamet r and height growth, the solution was sprayed in early June after diameter growth had started and most trees had completed 10% to 25% of their twig growth. Although our target dosage for both prill and spray treatments was 150 lb of N/acre, measured dosage in the three sprayed plots averaged 64, 100, and 123 lb. Drift onto the six plots in the nonsprayed area, however, was mini­ mal and averaged 1.2 lb N/acre. Spray Damage-Despite twig extension on most trees, only 4% of the sprayed trees on the plot receivin 123 lb N/acre had as much as 30% of the foliage damaged ( Figure 3). Greater NET EFFECTS ON GROWTH From a practical standpoint, needle or twig burning is unac­ ceptable ,if crop trees are top-killed or show permanently deformed boles or if long-term growth is less than that of untreated trees or stands. With foliar sprays, our measured growth reflects the net effects of fertilization; i.e., improve­ ment of nutritional status minus negative effects of burning. Our field trials show that damage begins to offset benefits of fertilizing when more than about 30% of the needle surface area of Douglas-fir is injured. _ g Figure 2. Average first-year height response and initial foliar burning of potted Douglas-fir after fertilization. GROWTH RATIO (POST/PRETRERTMENT) Figure 3. Foliage burning and N dosage in a 20-yr-old I S'£l Douglas-fir stand at Shively Creek. • Tree. (% of total) SUAN I. £l£l J ----- ---- + SU 100 lb•• • .• Nla 75 N/SEEDLING (G) + D . £l.£l£l+- ____ -- ____ , I £l l!£l ____ 25 ---- ____-- 3il 50 £l.B I E NONE liil o L..-_.J.-.IllIl lIIIIL-..I-.I"" 10 20 Foliage Bum Cia•• (%) NEEDLES DRMAGED (PERCENT) 64 30 ume growth of the urea-ammonium nitrate-treated plots aver­ aged 80 ft3/acre more than that of the unfertilized plots. Yet the difference between the control and the prill- and spray-treated plots was not statistically significant. To validly compare the effectiveness of these soil and foliar applications, we would have to know the actual dosage released from the helicopter· when it was over the plots. If we assumed (1) the helicopter· actually released an average of 96 1b N/acre, and (2) a .linear response surface between 0 and 150 lb N/acre, then the gain per 1b of applied N was 0.83 ft3 instead of 0. 53 (Table 3). Under these assumptions, foliar fertilization was 36% more ,effective per 1b of applied N than was the prill application. The most conservative approach, however, was to assume that 150 1b N/acre were released by the helicopter but an average of 53 1b/acre were lost before the spray reached the plots. With this assumption of loss, and again with no correction for a shorter growth period after spray fertilization, foliar application was about 13% less effective than prill during the first 4 yr after treatment. crown damage however occurred in other portions of the spray-treated area which probably received heavier dosages of spr y (e.g., where the helicopter pivoted to change direction). Thus, our target dosage of 150 lb N/acre was probably close to the maximum sage dosage for the weather and tree conditions at time of treatment. Visual estimates after the first growing season showed that as average N dosage per plot increased, more of the trees had injured needles and that a larger percentage of the needles on these trees were injured. Ten percent of the trees on the sprayed plots had curled or dead leaders at the end of the first growing season, compared to 8% broken or dead on the prill-treated and, surprisingly, 18% on the control plots. Yet these differences were not statistically different, thus indicating that fertilizer treatment neither decreased nor increased incidence of malformed lead­ ers (Miller and Wert 1979). Volume Growth-Adjusted volume growth on the prill­ treated plots exceeded that on the control plots by 92 ft3/acre during the 4-yr period (Table 3). Moreover, the adjusted vo1­ SLAB CAMP Table 3. Average initial volume and gross volume growth of all trees. 1.6 in. dbh and larger. at Shively Creek. per acre basis.a Fertilizer None Prill Spray N/acre (lb) Initial Annual volume growth - .;. _ft3_ _ _ 204 190 166 o 150 150 b (96) 62 85 82 The Trial-We applied prilled-urea and urea-ammonium nitrate solution by helicopter to four 40- to 70-yr-old site IV-V stands near Sequim, Washington. Nominal dosages of 50, 100, 200, and 400 lb N/acre applied both before and during the 1969 growing season. Spray Damage-Damage to needles and leaders was much greater in the July application of urea-ammonium nitrate than in the May application (Table 4). For example, 3.5% of trees in the control plots had brown-or unhealthy-appearing crowns. The incidence of such unhealthy crown was increased by the 400-N dosage of urea-ammonium nitrate in May, but by , as little as 100 1b N/acre in July. Conversely, lower dosages of 50 and 100 lb N in May and 50 lb N in July had a lower propor­ Total gain Per lb of N rela­ tive 0.61 0.53 0.83 1.00 0.87 1.36 92 80 a Growth adjgsted for initial differences in stand volumes. Average measured dosage on three plots. Table 4. Average incidence of crown damage after foliar fertilization by treatment in four stands near Slab Camp. per acre basis. Fertilized May July Control N dosage (lb) 50 100 200 400 50 100 200 400 0 Trees with unhealthy crowns (%) (No.) 15 40 40 120 10 ' 98 348 990 40 Damaged a crown surface (%) 1.1 3.0 3.7 12.3 1.0 7.4 22.7 90.2 3.5 a For 57 to 60 height trees per treatment. 10 to 80%. 65 16 b 43 2 Trees with top kill (No.) (%) 25 5 12 8 15 12 55 318 10 1.8 0.4 1.2 0.8 1.5 1.0 3.6 29.0 0.9 b Range for 57 trees was tion of trees with unhealthy crowns than did the control plots. At the 4.o.o-N dosage, average surface area affected was 16% in the May application and 43% in the July application. Moreover, 29% of the trees sprayed in July with 4.0.0 lb of N as urea-ammonium nitrate had top or leader kill, compared to .0.9% in the four control plots. In contrast, May application of the same dosage did not increase numbt?r of trees with top or leader kill. Thus, one could anticipate that July application at the high dosage should have reduced response or even growth below that of the control plots. Volume Growth-The growth period after the July applica­ tion was about 3.5 versus 4..0 growing seasons. Therefore, we increased the measured growth of plots treated in July by 14%. Based on the combined results from both seasons of applica­ tiop. and all dosages, annual growth of plots treated with urea prill (2.06 ft3/acre) exceeded that of urea-ammonium nitrate­ treated plots (164 ft3/acre) (P < .0. .0.01). Moreover, the superi­ ority of the prill treatment was significantly greater in the July than in the May application (P < .0..038). The strong response to summer application of low dosage of prilled urea was unexpected, because weather conditions dur­ ing and following treatment should have lead to considerably more ammonia volatilization losses than after our May applica­ tion. A possible explanation is that control of fertilization dis­ tribution on the treatment area was better in the July applica­ tion (the second one) and, thus, the plots received lllore N. Unfortunately, we cannot prove and/or support this specula­ tion. The maximum gained from urea fertilization was with 4.0.0 lb of in both seasons (Table 5). Response to urea-ammonium nitrate varied between the two seasons of application. Spring application of 10.0 through 4.0.0 lb N/acre was less stimulating than the corresponding dosages applied in spring. For no apparent reason, spring application of the 5.o-N dosage apparently depressed growth, whereas sum- mer application of the same nominal dosage apparently enhanced growth. In summary, 4-yr response to urea­ ammonium nitrate during the first four growing seasons after treatment was probably reduced by foliar burning; this burning was much greater in the summer than the spring application at each N dosage. Future additional response to both N sources is likely because increment cores taken from the 4.0 largest Douglas-fir trees per acre showed that positive response began in the third and fourth years after treatment. This response was slower than usual and undoubtedly reflected the low vigor or overstocked conditions of the experimental stands. COST EFFECTIVENESS The initial cost of fertilizing includes the contract cost (applying the fertilizer, transporting it in the forest, and apply­ ing it to specified' areas by helicopter), the administrative costs, and the costs providing access roads and heliports. Since the cost of fertilizer is usually more than half the initial treatment cost, the price of fertilizer strongly influences initial costs. Fertilizer Cost-Fertilizer prices have increased since 1971, particularly in 1974 when demand greatly exceeded supply (Table 6). On a cost-per-lb of N basis, urea-ammonium nitrate averaged $.o.12Y2 or 3% more than N from .prilled urea. Although in 1979 N in urea-ammonium nitrate cost 7% more than that in prilled urea, the future price differential between the two materials is unclear. Although theoretically more energy is required to produce prills from solution because of the additional energy requirements of the drying process, nonenergy factors may be stronger determinants of current prices. Application and Total, Cost-During he 3-yr period, 1973-1975, the Bureau of Land Management in Ro_seburg, Oregon, foliarly fertilized nearly 2.0.0.0 acres. Contact costs for urea-ammonium nitrate and spraying at dosages of 15.0 lb Table 5. Relative volume growth in four Doug1as-fir/ western hemlock stands near Slab Camp.a Month Treatment N source , _ May July Mean Prill (46--0-0) Solution (32-0-0) Prill (46--0-0) Solution (32-0-0) Prill (46--0-0) Solution (32-0-0) Table 6. Costs of urea-ammonium nitrate solution (32-0-0) and pri11ed urea (46-0-0), F.O.B. Portland.a Dosage (lb of N/acre) 50 '100 200 100 _ 100 84 132 116 116 100 _ _ (%) 97 104 146 96 122 100 b _ _ 122 118 147 107 134 112 _ _ 137 106 152 92 145 99 ,Year a Gross growth over a 4-yr period; based on four O.l-acre plots for each treatment combination, 68 plots total. Treatment means were adjusted by co­ variance techniques for initial differences in stand golume, site index, and percent of Douglas-fir. Percent of average control or untreated growth (159 cu ft/acre/yr). Fertilizer cost/ton 32-0-0 46--0-0 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1979 $ 43 49 61 96 120 111 Mean 80 32-0-0 N cost/1b 46--0-0 ratio $ 67 65 75 147 165 148 $0.067 0.077 0.095 0.150 0.188 0.173 $0.073 0.071 0.082 0.190 0.179 0.161 0.92 1.08· 1.16 0.94 1.05 1.07 111 0.125 1.121 1.03 a Average posted, delivered prices of a major producer. 66 N/acre ranged between $33 and $58 per acre (Table 7). The cost per lb of applied N averaged $0.30 for urea-ammonium nitrate and $0.24 for urea prill. These past costs indicate that the overall benefits from forest fertilization with urea­ ammonium nitrate would need to be about 25% greater per lb of applied N to be as cost effective as fertilization with urea prill. The short-term response in the two trials where cubic vol­ ume growth was measured indicated that this break-even point was exceeded at Shively Creek only if we assured that 97 lb rather than the target dosage of 150 lb N/acre was actually applied. Comparable cost effectiveness of foliar fertilization will probably be achieved at lower N dosages than the conven­ tional 200 lb N/acre, because heavier dosages of solution can severely damage foliage and presumably reduce growth. At lower N dosages, foliar application should theoretically be more effective than application of urea to the soil because more of the applied fertilizer will enter the plant directly, rather than passing through the soil where inevitable losses and fixations occur. To test this"theory and to compare the full benefits of the two treatments, however, we need long-term data; our existing field trials will provide such data. IMPLICATIONS FOR LAND MANAGERS Foliar fertilization is a potential alternative to conventional fertilization with urea prills or granules. When we use foliar sprays to bypass fixation of the soil system, however, we also bypass its buffering capacity and thus risk tree damage and reduced growth. Although the potential exists for application of N in solutions to be more cost effective than with urea prill, Table 7. Acreage and costs of operational fertiliza­ tion with urea-ammonium nitrate solution and urea prill. b Prill (46-0-0) Costs Acres (per (per acre) lb N) (No.) Year a Solution (32-Q-O) Costs Acres (per (per acre) 1b N) (No.) 1973 1974 1975 203 200 1544 $33.09 42.38 57.68 $0.22 0.28 0.38 6100 306 1691 $40.75 52.00 53.77 $0.20 0.26 0.27 Mean 649 44.38 0.30 2699 48.84 0.24 there is also greater risk or uncertainty in foliar fertilization. ' Moreover, reduced application costs and/or greater growth stimulation are needed to improve cost effectiveness of sprays. With careful formulation and application, the gain in cubic volume or height growth per lb of applied N was similar for spray and prill applications in our study; longer term compari­ sons are still pending. Clearly, more information is necessary before foliar fertilization can be recommended as .a standard operations procedure. RESEARCH NEEDS To reduce uncertainty and improve the cost effectiveness of foliar fertilization, additional research on the following topics is desirable: 1. Spray losses-Our experience at Shively Creek indicated that about two-thirds of the prescribed fertilizer reached the stand. Although excessive dosage in nonmeasured areas possi­ bly explains this difference, a certain level of loss may be inherent to spray applications. Determining the magnitude and fate of this potential loss and some means for reducing it is desirable. 2. Application costs-Increasing the scale of spray projects and using more efficient spray equipment should reduce costs of foliar fertilization. After a critical minimal scale 6f fertilizer application is exceeded, delivering, handling, and applying liquids is generally more economical than using solids. This reflects the ease of mechanization; one person with a pump can readily move thousands of pounds of liquid fertilizer per hour. Moreover, some fertilizer solutions very nearly equal solids in their content of active ingredients per unit weight. 3. Spray additives-Development of a spray additive that would reduce osmotic burning, yet not decrease penetration of applied N is appealing. For example, our recent screening test has indicated that foliar damage from urea-ammonium nitrate was reduced by three of four surfactants tested. CONCLUSIONS Our research results indicate that: 1. Douglas-fir can absorb N efficiently through its needles; internal N concentrations and color are much more rapidly and markedly improved than when urea prill was used. 2. A risk of excessive foliar burning exists when these salt solutions are applied to the foliage. Douglas-fir and associated species can tolerate practical dosages of 20% to 32% N solu­ tions; however, burning that exceeds about 30% of the needle surface can reduce response or growth. 3. Short term growth data and past costs indicate that foliar fertilization is currently less cost effective than conventional fertilization with urea prills or granules. otal cost of solution (32-Q-O), delivery, and application at 150-N per acre. Source: Steve Wert, Soil Scientist, Bureau of Land Management, Roseburg, Oregon, October 22, 1975. bTota1 cost of urea prill (46-0-0), delivery, and application at 200-N per acre; however, in 1974, ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) was used. Source: Robert Bergland, Fertilization Forester, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington, November 13, 1975. 67 4. Pending data analyses will clarify uncertainty about the comparable long-term effects of spray and prill application of N on stand growth and mortality. 5. The reliability and financial gains from foliar fertilization can be improved by additional research of spray formulations and application techniques. Miller, R. E., and D. C. Young. 1976. Forest fertilization: Foliar application of nitrogen solutions proves efficient. Fert. Solutions 20(2):36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 59-60. Miller, R. E., and S. Wert. 1979. Effects of soil and foliar applications of nitrogen fertilizers on a 20-year-old Douglas-fir stand. USDA For. Servo Res. Note PNW-329, 12 p. Pac. Northwest For. and Range Exp. Stn., Port­ land, OR. Paavelainen, E.' 1972. Reaction of Scots pine on various nitrogen fertilizers on LITERATURE CITED drained peatlands. 44 p. Comm. Inst. For. Fenn. 77. Schultz, R. P. Eberhardt, P. J., and W. L. Pritchett. 1971. Foliar application of nitrogen to slash pine seedlings. Plant and Soil 34:731-740. 1968. Soil or foliar fertilization of well-drained and flooded slash pine seedlings. USDA For. Servo Res. Pap. SE-32, 8 p. Southeast For. and Range Exp. Stn., Asheville, NC. \ 68 Proceedings Forest Fertilization \ Conference September 25,26, and 27,1979 Alderbrook Inn Union, Washington Sponsored by Institute of Forest Resources College of Forest Resources U niversity of Washington • U .S.F.S. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station • British Columbia Ministry of Forests Price per copy $17.50