Dose and frequency of mineral fertilizer for the establishment of pine plantations in acid soils

Abstract

In Cuba there are few studies aimed at recommending doses and frequency of NPK mineral fertilizer for the establishment of forest plantations, these are used incorrectly without taking into account the negative consequences that can result from their application both in excess and in defect. Therefore, the present study studied the response of different doses and frequency of mineral fertilization applied fractionally during the first five years of establishment of a plantation of Pinus caribaea. The research was conducted at the Viñales Agroforestry Experimental Station, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Different doses and frequencies of NPK were investigated, from a randomized block design. Seven treatments were established, differentiated by NPK doses and application regimens, plus a control treatment without fertilization. Measurements of height and diameter were made at different ages with which the volume was determined and followed for 41 years, and the growth functions were estimated by means of multilevel regression. For the entire period it was determined that the applications of 600 g tree 1, 800 g tree^-1 and 1000 g tree^-1 in alternate or continuous regime (NPK) were superior with respect to the control; treatment of the application of a single dose of 300 g tree^-1 (NPK) caused lower values with respect to the control.