Growth response of broom (Cytisus scoparius) growing with and without radiata pine (Pinus radiata) seedlings to different P levels in soils

Abstract

A study was carried out to test the effects of three rates of TSP (triple superphosphate) (0, 50, and 100 mg·kg -1 P) on growth of broom with and without radiata pine seedlings and to determine the relationships between P concentrations in the broom shoot and dry matter yields with soil plant-available P (Bray-2 P). A bulk sample of soil was collected from Kaweka forest at soil depth of 0−10 cm, in New Zealand on March 11, 2001. The forest area was not supplied with fertiliser at least 30 years. The results show that TSP application increased P availability in the soil. The P availability concentration in soil of broom with radiata pine seedlings was higher than that in soil of broom alone. Bray-2 P concentrations had a significant logarithmic relationship with P concentrations of broom shoot and an exponential relationship with dry matter weight of whole broom plant.