Site Factors and the Net Primary Productivity of Young Loblolly Pine and Slash Pine Plantations

Abstract The relationship between site factors and net primary productivity of young plantations of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm.) in Beaufort County, North Carolina were investigated. Exchange acidity, cation exchange capacity, pH, Mg, and K of these Ultisol and Alfisol soils of the fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic family were found to be correlated ( P = 0.05) with the net primary productivity of loblolly pine. The net primary productivity of slash pine was correlated with cation exchange capacity ( P = 0.05).