Influence of limestone and amphibolite application on growth of Norway spruce plantation under harsh mountain conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The results of a fifteen-year period of investigations conducted on Norway spruce in the upper plateau of the Jizerské hory Mts. were summarised. The objectives were to evaluate the growth performance of an experimental plantation under harsh environmental conditions and assess the effects of amendments as well as the influence of the forest site variability on growth performance and survival of young spruces. The following treatments were distinguished: (1) lower control, (2) limestone and (3) amphibolite treatments on a less exposed slope of the ridge and (4) upper control on a summit of the mountain ridge. Principle characteristics such as mortality rate, height, annual height increment, stem base diameter, crown diameter and nutritional status were summarized and evaluated. Significant differences between treatments were recorded in heights. The trees fertilized with amphibolite were significantly taller than the control ones in thirteen out of the fifteen evaluated years and the applied limestone improved heights in ten years out of the fifteen evaluated years. A positive effect of amphibolite treatment on stem base diameter was proved in three of the four assessed years and was persisting till 2007 (last measurement of this characteristic), the positive effect of limestone was lasting up to 2006. The considerable role of the site variability was apparent from a comparison between the upper and lower control although they were in a very close position to each other, growth increment of the spruces on the ridge was significantly lower. Temporarily lower N concentration was recorded in the fertilized treatments in comparison with their respective control. The concentration of P was low and decreased to the limit of deficiency in all treatments, P seems to be the most limiting macroelement in the area.

Initial Fertilization Impact on Norway Spruce Nutrition and Growth in the Krušné Hory Mts.

“…This finding corresponds to the results by Koňasová et al (2012): in the above mentioned work they state the positive limestone effect on the top shoot length; the similar response was also observed with amphibolite application. However, Vavříček et al (2011) present a different conclusion; the calcareous effect on the top shoots length was not noticeable.…”

“…(Vavříček et al, 2011). The decline in Norway spruce nutrition was also found by Koňasová et al (2012) during their fertilization experiment. However, in that case, there was nitrogen concentration decline caused by applying ground limestone and amphibolites: other nutrients were not affected.…”

Quarter of a century of forest fertilization and liming research at the Department of Silviculture in Prague, Czech Republic

“…The effect on foliage nutrient content was negligible. The control option had more nitrogen concentration, probably due to the support of microbial activity in the soil, leading to higher consumption of nitrogen (Koňasová et al 2012).…”

Seedling Establishment on a Forest Restoration Site

“…However, there are instances where site nutrient limitations are an issue and field site fertilization has benefited seedling establishment (e.g. Grossnickle 2000;Koňasová 2012;Ruthrof et al 2016). Due to the variability of success in past field fertilization programs to consistently enhance performance on restoration sites, this silvicultural practice is considered an expensive and an inefficient approach to supplying nutrients to seedlings under all but sites with defined nutrient limitations (Brockley 1988).…”