Araucaria cunninghamii seedling response to different forms and rates of 15N-labelled Fertiliser

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Blumfield, TJ
Xu, Zhi-Hong
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)

Jian-Min ZHOU

Date
2006
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Nitrogenous fertilisers are under consideration for promoting the growth of nursery-reared hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) seedlings in the establishment phase of second rotation (2R) plantations. Using 15N-labelled fertilisers, we investigated the effect of different forms (ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and urea) and rates of application (0, 150 and 300 mg N kg-1 dried soil) of fertilisers on the growth, 15N recovery and carbon isotope composition (d13C) of hoop pine seedlings in a 12-month glasshouse trial in southeast Queensland, Australia. The 15N-labelled fertilisers were applied to nursery-reared hoop pine seedlings, which were then grown in pots, containing ca. 1.2 kg dried soil, under well watered conditions for 12 months. Four seedlings from each treatment were harvested at 4-month intervals, divided into roots, stem and foliage, with a further subdivision for new and old foliage, and then analysed for 15N, total N, d13C and total C. There was no significant response in the seedling growth to the form or rate of application of nitrogen (N) fertiliser within the 12-month period, indicating that the seedlings did not experience N deficiency when grown on second rotation hoop pine soils. While the combined 15N recovery from soil and plant remained at around 70% throughout the experiment, the proportion of 15N recovered from the plants increasing steadily over time. Nitrate containing fertilisers at 150 mg N kg-1 soil gradually increased seedling foliage ?13C over the 12-month period, indicating an increase in seedling water use efficiency.

Journal Title

Pedosphere

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

16

Issue

6

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Soil sciences

Plant biology

Crop and pasture production

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections