Phosphorus Nutrition and Fertilization of Forest Trees

Nutrient cycling, deep rooting habit, long life span, and sheer size of forest trees are responsible for most of the unique features and problems of forest tree nutrition. The primary objective of forest nurseries is to produce seedlings with a high survival capability and good growth potential once they are planted in the forest. Soil analysis and other diagnostic techniques are used to determine the need for phosphorus (P) fertilizers in nurseries, but the rates of P applied are usually based on experience in individual nurseries. Phosphatic fertilizers are applied to forest stands principally for the purpose of increasing wood production. P nutrition has seldom been implicated directly in decreasing resistance to frost damage. A number of techniques have been used to diagnose nutritional problems in forests. For practical application, the ideal genotype is one that is capable of sustaining good growth under marginal nutritional conditions and that also responds well to fertilizer additions.