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Forestry Nursery Manual: Production of Bareroot Seedlings pp 63–74Cite as

Soil Fertility in Forest Nurseries

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Part of the book series: Forestry Sciences ((FOSC,volume 11))

Abstract

The soil cation-exchange complex serves as a reservoir of nutrients which are released into the soil solution, where they are accessible to seedlings. Although macronutrients are most readily available in soils of pH 6 to 7, micronutrients are most available in more acid soils; therefore, pH values of 5.0 to 6.0 are recommended for forest nurseries. Under such conditions, available nitrogen is primarily in the ammonium form, and phosphorus can form insoluble iron and aluminum compounds. Sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients are seldom deficient in forest nurseries because sufficient fertilizer is added as “maintenance” dressings, or supplies from native minerals are adequate. Recommended fertilizer applications for a 2-year nursery rotation range from 112 to 285 kg of nitrogen, 67 to 200 kg of phosphorus, and 75 to 150 kg of potassium per ha. Recommended nutrient levels in both soils and seedlings are tabulated and some effects of nutrients on seedling growth and physiology mentioned.

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  1. R. van den Driessche
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA

    Mary L. Duryea (Assistant Professor, Leader, Nursery Technology Cooperative) (Assistant Professor, Leader, Nursery Technology Cooperative)

  2. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Post Office Box 25127, 80225, Denver, Colorado, USA

    Thomas D. Landis (Western Nursery and Greenhouse Specialist) (Western Nursery and Greenhouse Specialist)

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© 1984 Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague

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van den Driessche, R. (1984). Soil Fertility in Forest Nurseries. In: Duryea, M.L., Landis, T.D., Perry, C.R. (eds) Forestry Nursery Manual: Production of Bareroot Seedlings. Forestry Sciences, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6110-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6110-4_7

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