Long term response of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) to fertilisers on low level blanket peat in the west of Ireland.

  • Kenneth A. Byrne Forest Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
  • Edward P. Farrell Forest Ecosystem Research Group, Department of Environmental Resource Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4.
Keywords: Peatland forests, Sitka spruce, fertilisers.

Abstract

A nitrogen and phosphorus experiment on Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.), which ran from 1967 to 1982, was reopened in 1992. Half of the original experimental plots were left untreated, and the other half received lime and further applications of nitrogen and phosphorus in factorial combination. Levels of foliar nitrogen and phosphorus have fallen since 1979, with nitrogen now deficient throughout. Despite this, the effect of applied nitrogen and phosphorus on their respective foliar concentrations is still in evidence. Foliar concentrations of other nutrients, except sulphur, are adequate. The decline in the foliar concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, coupled with estimates of top height, suggests that the lime has failed to achieve its long term objective of stimulating growth.
Published
1998-11-01
How to Cite
Byrne, K. A. and Farrell, E. P. (1998) “Long term response of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) to fertilisers on low level blanket peat in the west of Ireland.”, Irish Forestry. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9830 (Accessed: 29March2024).
Section
Articles