The effects of fertilization and release on growth, physiology, nutrition, and sapwood quality of young yellow-poplar

The effects of crop tree release and fertilization of young yellow-poplar on low and medium quality Southern Appalachian sites were compared. In June of 1989 96 individual 10 year-old yellow-poplar crop stems were treated in factorial combinations. The crop trees were either released, using a 4% triclopyr ester in kerosene basal spray. fertilized with 224, 291 and 243 kg/ha of N, P, and K; released and fertilized, or left untreated. These treatments were repeated in June of 1992. In 1992, treatments were slightly different. Crop trees were released mechanically, and only nitrogen was applied at 224 kg/ha. After five years, only release resulted in significant growth responses. Released trees responded positively to increased sunlight and horizontal space by increasing their uptake of nitrogen and iron - elements essential for photosynthesis. This led to an increase in foliage production, and presumably, an increase in total photosynthesis. Released trees reacted to the increased growing space by filling in the space created by release. Released trees increased both diameter and crown volume growth; unfortunately, they did so at the expense of height growth, which was decreased by crop tree release. Current stem wood volume, was therefore not increased.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Department dc:contributor.department

Forestry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Bollig, John Joseph

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Johnson, James E.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Burkhart, Harold E.
• Ifju, Geza

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07112009-040331

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43670