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Fertilizer Technology

It's only been recently that a conifer forest seedling in a production phase is being outplanted with initial fertilization. Standard practice has been to allow the seedling to develop on its own. First scheduled fertilization is often not until several years into the cycle. Yet the need for accelerated growth is required. Why do growers of the majority of other crops have an initial nutrient program while the forestry industry doesn't? One answer involves the safety aspect of an early fertility program under the limited Pacific Northwest summer precipitation regimes. Too often salinity builds up and causes plant injury. Current fertilizer technology does offer useful alternatives that can both be safe and growth enhancing.


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Author(s): Richard R. Benson

Event: Symposium Proceedings: Forest Seedling Nutrition from the Nursery to the Field
1997