Growth and physiology of loblolly pine in response to long-term resource management: defining growth potential in the southern United States

Leaf physiology and stem growth were assessed in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in response to 10 to 11 years of treatment with weed control (W), weed control plus irrigation (WI), weed control plus irrigation and fertigation (WIF), or weed control plus irrigation, fertigation, and pest control (WIFP) to determine whether increased resource availability can push productivity of loblolly pine closer to its biological growth potential expressed in favorable, exotic environments. Maximum basal area and stem biomass were 41 m 2 ha -1 and 172 Mgha -1 , respectively, in response to fertigation. Stem- wood biomass production was positively and linearly related to basal area. Belowground woody biomass was highest in the WIF and WIFP treatments and averaged 50 Mgha -1 , but the W and WI treatments exploited a greater area of soil with low-density coarse roots. Fertigation increased foliar nitrogen concentration and foliage biomass, but treatment had no effect on leaf physiological parameters or growth efficiency. Comparison with growth rates reported for loblolly pine in Hawaii revealed that loblolly pine grown in its native range can produce the high yields observed in exotic environ- ments when stands are below maximum carrying capacity.

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