Short-term and long-term effects of weed control and fertilization on growth and wood anatomy of a Populus deltoides clone

Abstract

Aims of study: The short- and long-term effects of weed control and fertilization on growth and wood anatomy of 10-y-old Populus deltoides were investigated. Weed control and fertilization usually leads to an increase the growth rate of trees, and consequently, a possible modification in the quality of produced wood.Area of study: We analyzed trees from an experimental plantation in Buenos Aires, Argentina (34°50’ S Lat; 60°30’ W Long).Methods: 32 trees from three treatments: mechanical weed control (M), chemical and mechanical weed control (CHM) and fertilized plus chemical and mechanical weed control (CHM-F) were analyzed. Basal area, fibre morphology, cell wall area and vessel size were measured in the growth ring 1, 3 and 10.Results: differences on wood anatomy among treatments were mainly observed at the third year (short-term effect). Long-term negative effects were not observed. Fertilized trees had greater proportion and quality of wood closer to pith.Research highlights: fibre and vessel differences seen in CHM and CHM-F compared to controls in year 3 could be interpreted as evidence of maturation in cambial development (thicker, longer and wider fibres and greater vessels). The CHM-F treatment had a greater proportion of wood that showed characteristics of more mature wood.Key words: silvicultural treatment; wood quality; fibre properties; vessels; poplar; cambial maturity.

The Effects of Nitrogen Fertilisation on the Anatomical Properties of the Populus alba L. Clone ‘Villafranca’ Juvenile Wood

“…The short-term effect of nitrogen on the anatomical properties of poplar wood has been confirmed in the literature [ 38 , 40 ] and in this research. The long-term response to growth was detected after intensive and repeated nitrogen fertilisation [ 49 ].…”

“…The results of this research indicate that only FL was significantly affected by different nitrogen treatments during both years of fertilisation. Research on the Populus deltoides clone [ 40 ] reported longer, thicker, wider fibres and wider vessels after three years of fertilisation. In this research, the application of nitrogen reduced FL in 2004, while only N1 increased FL in 2005.…”

“…The larger dimensions of the fibres and vessels after the addition of nitrogen are possible evidence of the maturity of cambium [ 40 ]. FLD and FLA decreased after the medium (N2) nitrogen dose in 2004.…”

The adaptability of Ulmus pumila and the sensitivity of Populus sibirica to semi-arid steppe is reflected in the stem and root vascular cambium and anatomical wood traits

“…To an extent, the challenging conditions in the drylands could also be mitigated by various management techniques, i.e., soil preparation and increased water and nutrient availability ( Querejeta et al., 2001 ). Indeed, practices as preparatory fertilization can provide residual long-term effects on tree growth ( From et al., 2015 ; Monteoliva et al., 2015 ; Smolander et al., 2022 ). As part of the Green Belt Plantation Project, a complex experimental design has been implemented to understand the impact of management (fertilization and irrigation) on the development of two species of interest, Populus sibirica Hort, Ex.…”

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“…To an extent, the challenging conditions in the drylands could also be mitigated by various management techniques, i.e., soil preparation and increased water and nutrient availability (Querejeta et al, 2001). Indeed, practices as preparatory fertilization can provide residual long-term effects on tree growth (From et al, 2015;Monteoliva et al, 2015;Smolander et al, 2022). As part of the Green Belt Plantation Project, a complex experimental design has been implemented to understand the impact of management (fertilization and irrigation) on the development of two species of interest, Populus sibirica Hort, Ex.…”