Changes Caused by Mid-Rotation Fertilizer Application to the Fibre Anatomy of Pinus Radiata

Abstract

Effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on average fibre radial diameter, tangential diameter, wall thickness and number of fibres per unit area were studied over 7 years of growth in radiata pine. Stands were in mid-rotation, thinned and treatments replicated 4 times at 3 sites. Compared to a thinned, unfertilized control, N decreased and P increased fibre radial diameter. Only N decreased fibre radial diameter, thereby increasing the number of fibres per unit area. All fertilizer treatments decreased fibre wall thickness. Responses in ring width and fibre properties, other than fibre tangential diameter peaked 2 years following fertiliser application, before gradually disappearing after 4–5 years. Fertilizer effects on fibre properties diminished at different rates, causing significant interactions with time. Ring width had little effect on density. Changes in density and fibre coarseness were attributed to changes in fibre wall thickness more than fibre radial diameter and tangential diameter. The largest decrease in density and fibre coarseness in the combined N and P treatment was explained mostly by thinner walls.

Differences in fibre properties in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) genetic entries grown at different spacing and sites

“…Similarly, Hannrup et al (2001) previously observed in Scots pine a positive weak correlation between wood density and fibre length for juvenile wood, but not in mature wood, where it was negative or even non-existent. In other pine species such as Maritime pine or radiata pine (Pinus radiata), negative correlations have also been observed previously between wood density and fibre length or width, for example (Nyakuengama et al 1999, 2003, Pot et al 2002.…”

Wood and Fiber Quality of Plantation-Grown Conifers: A Summary of Research with an Emphasis on Loblolly and Radiata Pine

“…Even though trees have started producing outerwood at mid-rotation, the application of nitrogen increases the number of tracheids for a given area, with a concomitant reduction in tracheid radial diameter, and wall thickness [89]. Wood properties are negatively affected, but the response depends on the rate of fertilizer applied, site conditions, and age of the stand.…”

Madera De Compresión en Pinus Radiata D. Don: I, Características Anatómicas

“…En Arena hoemeda resultaron mayores que los registrados en el sitio Arcilla. Estas diferencias difieren con lo determinado en Pinus radiata en Chile (Melo et al (1988) pero son coincidentes con otros estudios realizados en Pinus radiata en diferentes sitios (Burdon 1975;Nyakuengama et al 2003).…”

“…Las diferencias significativas que se registraron entre los dos sitios concuerdan también con lo informado por diversos autores (Melo et al 1988;Nyakuengama et al 2003;Dúchense y Zhang 2004;Moltenberg, M∅ib∅ 2006) El largo de traqueidas resultó afectado, además del sitio, por la edad. Este efecto está asociado a la actividad periódica del cambium y es especialmente importante en los primeros años.…”