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Beetle-Caused Mortality in Ponderosa Pine: Induced by Nitrogen Fertilization but Prevented by Potassium Amendment Item Info

In 1987 six fertilizer trials were established in ponderosa pine stands in western Montana, USA to test if K amendments to N fertilizers could ameliorate increases in tree mortality associated with N fertilization. Treatments were no fertilizer, 225 kg ha-1' of N, or 225 kg ha-1' of both N and K. Foliage samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients one year following treatment and tree heights and diameters were measured at the time of and four years after treatment. Analysis of covariance results showed that fertilization with N alone produced a negative net volume response, but plots receiving both N and K responded positively, producing a highly significant K effect. Treatment differences resulted from heavy tree mortality caused by mountain pine beetle occurring on N treated plots, but not on N+K treated plots. Regression of net volume response on foliar nutrient levels indicated that negative response (beetle mortality) occurred in stands having high initial foliar N concentrations and low K:N ratios. When fertilized with N+K, these stands showed similar net response as all other stands. Fertilization with N alone appears to have made these stands more susceptible to bark beetle mortality, but addition of K to the fertilizer mix prevents this increase in mortality and allows the stands to respond positively to N additions.

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Title:
Beetle-Caused Mortality in Ponderosa Pine: Induced by Nitrogen Fertilization but Prevented by Potassium Amendment
Creator:
Mika, P.G.; Moore, J.A.; Mandzak, J.D.
Date Created (ISO Standard):
1993
Description:
In 1987 six fertilizer trials were established in ponderosa pine stands in western Montana, USA to test if K amendments to N fertilizers could ameliorate increases in tree mortality associated with N fertilization. Treatments were no fertilizer, 225 kg ha-1' of N, or 225 kg ha-1' of both N and K. Foliage samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients one year following treatment and tree heights and diameters were measured at the time of and four years after treatment. Analysis of covariance results showed that fertilization with N alone produced a negative net volume response, but plots receiving both N and K responded positively, producing a highly significant K effect. Treatment differences resulted from heavy tree mortality caused by mountain pine beetle occurring on N treated plots, but not on N+K treated plots. Regression of net volume response on foliar nutrient levels indicated that negative response (beetle mortality) occurred in stands having high initial foliar N concentrations and low K:N ratios. When fertilized with N+K, these stands showed similar net response as all other stands. Fertilization with N alone appears to have made these stands more susceptible to bark beetle mortality, but addition of K to the fertilizer mix prevents this increase in mortality and allows the stands to respond positively to N additions.
Subjects:
research (document genres) wood borers (beetles) fertilizer
Location:
North and Central Idaho; Eastern Washington; Western Montana; Northeastern Oregon
Publisher:
Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, University of Idaho, College of Forest, Wildlife and Range Sciences, Moscow
Source:
Mika, P.G., J.A. Moore, J.D. Mandzak. 1993 Beetle-caused mortality in ponderosa pine: induced by nitrogen fertilization but prevented by potassium amendment. FWR, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow.
Source Identifier:
Beetle-Caused_Mortality_in_Ponderosa_Pine_IFTNC_1993
Type:
Text
Format:
application/pdf

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Preferred Citation:
"Beetle-Caused Mortality in Ponderosa Pine: Induced by Nitrogen Fertilization but Prevented by Potassium Amendment", Idaho Forestry Research Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections, https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/forestryresearch/items/forestryresearch881.html
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Educational use includes non-commercial use of text and images in materials for teaching and research purposes. Digital reproduction rights granted by University of Idaho Library. For other uses beyond educational use, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
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