Foliar Fertilization During Bud Initiation Improves Container-Grown Ponderosa Pine Seedling Viability
Montville, M. E., Wenny, D. L., and Dumroese, R. K. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 11(4):114-119. 96.Our objective was to determine if avoiding nutrient stress during bud initiation of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa) grown in a container nursery would enhance seedling viability. Nitrogen stress was avoided by applying foliar fertilizer atrates between 324 and 972 ppm N to greenhouse-grown seedlings. Foliar fertilization maintained higher seedling nitrogen levels and increased root collar diameter by 45%. Height was slightly increased, cold-hardiness slightly reduced, and root growth potential unaffected by foliar fertilizer applications. Nursery managers can improve seedling viability by adding foliar fertilizer applications to their growing regimes.
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Author(s): Mark E. Montville, David L. Wenny, R. Kasten Dumroese
Section: Fertilization and Nutrition
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