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Preliminary report on Trials of Forest Fertilization with SILVAMIX®Forte Slow Release Fertilizer tablets

Introduction

This report presents the results of a trial/research on the application of fertilizer tablets SILVAMIX® FORTE (ECOLAB ZNOJMO, Ltd., Czech Republic) in a size of 10 grams each, into the soil, during the week of May 14th.2001 and observations of the field sampling in November 05, 2001, analysis of the collected data, discussions, conclusions and recommendations.

 


Site

The 2001 year fertilized and check samples plantations are located 30+m from a Hydro transmission line, lot #703, rang 11, municipality Invernes, Québec, Canada.

The 2000 year fertilized and check samples plantations are on the lot 4C, rang 4 in the municipality Kinnears Mills, Québec, Canada.

 

Characteristics of the experimental sites:

Altitude: 800 feet = 244 m above sea level

Duration of 2001 growing season 139 days

Soil Alluvial, rocky

Humus content Low

Slope in yr. 2001 plantation: 0 - 3%

Slope in yr, 2000 plantation: 0 - 12%

Exposition in yr. 2000 plantation: South East

It should be noted, that the yr. 2001 growing season was very dry. Periods of 2-3 weeks without rain were frequent. Day temperatures were often in high twenties °C.

 

Site preparation for yr. 2001 Plantation

Clearing of the site was made with mechanical brush cutter and organic debris removed by a skidder blade (comb).

It is noted by the owner of the plantation, that scarification of the plantation site before planting promotes development of seedling roots. The roots of seedlings, which are planted in the non-scarified sites stay in a root wad (lump) the first year, which limits development of the roots.

 

Site identification:

Physical demarcation of the fertilized yr.2001 plantation area were marked by 1.2 m high stakes and sprayed with red paint.

The check sample seedlings, distant more than 10 m from fertilized seedlings, were marked by non-painted stakes.

 

Plant source and treatment before delivery to planting sites
Ref.: Copy of delivery slips by CFRQ, Forestry Consultants of the Québec City Region Inc.

 

Area A) (2001 plantation)
The PDF (Large dimension container seedlings) were of BE35EPB99-A16 provenance, nursery 24 (H5). Seedlings height 42 cm, collar diameter 6.2 mm.
The seedlings delivered in the spring (2001) were treated with liquid fertilizer in the autumn (2000). It consisted of N (ammonia, or nitrate, or urea). The autumn fertilization permits to respect the specifications prescribed by the MRN (Ministry of Natural Resources of Québec) which requires 1.7% N when the seedlings are delivered. The opinion is, that the PFD seedlings already assimilated N when they were planted.
The seedling specifications of MRN also demand, that the seedlings at the delivery time be a minimum of 35cm high.

 

Area B) and C) (2000 Plantation)
The PDF(Large dimension container seedlings) were of EPBV2300X013496 provenance
Nursery 24 (B6). Seedlings height 41.1 cm, collar diameter 6.5.

 

Method of Application

Area A) year 2001 plantation
Seedlings fertilized with four (4) 10 gram tablets of SILVAMIX®Forte fertilizer, each evenly distributed in a radius of 10-11 cm around the seedlings; total 40 g per each seedling.
Each tablet was deposited in a cavity of 6 cm deep before burying each seedling.
Type of seedlings: Planted in yr. 2001, all 4 year old.
Species: White Spruce (Picea glauca) in large size (PDF) containers.

 

Area B) year 2000 plantation
Seedlings fertilized with two (2) 10 g tablets of SILVAMIX®Forte fertilizer, opposite each other in a radius of 10?11 cm; total per each plant 20 g.
Each tablet was deposited in a bored hole of 2.5 cm in diameter and 5 cm deep and packed with a boot heel.
Some tablets were deposited on the top of the soil and packed with a boot heel .
Type of seedlings: Planted in yr.2000 in containers.
Species: White Spruce (Picea glauca) PDF.

 

Area C) year 2000 plantation
Seedlings fertilized with one (1) 10 g tablet, 10?11 cm from the stem of the Seedling.
Tablet was deposited in a bored hole of 2.5 cm in diameter, 5 cm deep and packed with a boot heel.
Type of seedlings: Planted in yr 2000 in containers.
Species: White Spruce (Picea glauca) PDF

 


Method of sampling

Statistically valid design of seedling sampling were chosen for each plantation area (A, B, and C). Two (2) parameters were measured and noted and two other were observed and noted.

Sampled fertilized and non-fertilized seedlings heights were measured in cm and registered in a 5 cm group scale. Plant collar, at the soil level, was measured and noted in mm.

Length and numbers of lateral shoots were examined and noted.

General appearance of fertilized and non-fertilized seedlings in each area were examined, photographed and noted.

The collected data were stored in Excel program and statistically analyzed.

 


Results of analysis

 

Growth characteristics: Height Collar Area
cm % mm % mm2 %

Area A) (Plantation 2001) Seedling measures at planting time were

42 100.0 6.2 100.0 30.2 100.0
Non-fertilized seedlings, (check samples) measured at the end of the growing season 2001 55 131.0 7.8 125.8 50.3 166.6
Fertilized seedlings by 4 tablets (40 g) measured at the end of the growing season 2001 65 154.8 10.0 161.3 78.5 260.0

 


The increment of the PDF check samplings at the end of the 2001 growing season

(55-42=13)

13 (31,0)

(7,8-6,2=1,6)

1,6 (25,8)

(50,3-30,2=20,1)

20,1 (66,6)

 


The increment of the PDF fertilized seedlings at the end of the 2001 growing season

(65-42=23)

23 (54.8)

(10.0-6.2=3.8)

3.8 (61.3)

(78.5-30.2=48.3)

48.3 (159.9)

 

Growth characteristics:

Height
cm (%)

Collar
cm (%)

Area
cm (%)

Area B) (Plantation 2000)      
Seedling measures at planting Time 2000

41.1 (100.0)

6.5 (100.0)

33.2 (100.0)

Non-fertilized check samples measured at the end of the growing season 2001

65 (158.2)

8.0 (123.1)

50.3 (151.5)

Seedlings fertilized with 2 tablets (20 g), measured at the end of growing season 2001

70.0 (170.3)

13.0 (200.0)

132.7 (402.2)

 

Growth characteristics:

Height
cm (%)

Collar
cm (%)

Area
cm (%)

Area C) (Plantation 2000)      
Seedling measures at planting Time 2000

41.1 (100.0)

6.5 (100.0)

33.2 (100.0)

Non-fertilized check samples measured at the end of the growing season 2001

50.0 (126.5)

   
Seedlings fertilized with 1 tablet (10 g), measured at the end of growing season 2001

60.0 (146.8)

9.0 (138.5)

63.62 (324.1)

 


Observation on seedling overwinter mortality vs rootcollar diameter in experiment ?B? and ?C?

When we first visited the experimental sites, in the spring of 2001, it was noted that many seedlings had suffered from snow damage over their first winter after plantation.

Although an accurate measurement was not taken, we would evaluate the mortality rate to be between 4 and 8 % on those particular sites. Those seedlings that had died were not overly high after one growth season. On average they had few lateral branches and possibly a small diameter at root collar, an important parameter to follow in future fertilization trials in relation to seedling capacity to overwinter.

Mortality of seedlings in not-fertilized check samples over the second growth season following plantation = 1%.

Mortality of seedlings in fertilized check samples over the second growth season following plantation = 1%.

 


Evaluation of results

Plantation 2001
The fertilizing of the seedlings in the first year has a marked influence on height  growth in comparison with the non-fertilized seedlings. It is difficult to assess at this time, what or if any influence, an exceptionally dry growing season, not experienced for most of the past century, had on the growth height of the seedlings.
On other hand, the superior growth in the collar area was markedly high.

 

Plantation 2000 - 20g experiment:
The average height growth of 70 - 41.1 = 28.9 cm (70%) increment in height and 13.0 ? 6.5 = 6.5 mm in root collar diameter increment in two growing seasons compares advantageously with both the Area B check sample and with Area C fertilized experience with one (1) tablete of 10g.

 

Plantation 2000 -10g experiment:
The average height growth of the fertilized seedlings is 20cm (46.8%) and the average root collar diameter increment is 2.5 mm (38.5%) over two growing seasons.

 


Overall

One would assume, that the microsites in year 2000 plantations are more or less equal. In experiments B and C, fertilization has had growth increment effects proportional to quantities applied with some minor differences in results possibly due to site quality, leaching of nutrients in the soil, and root capacity of assimilation.

Two tablets of fertilizer seem to have moderate effects on height increment but optimum effects on root collar diameter (and by extrapolation, optimum effects on root development, and lateral branch development). Optimum gain in root collar development for the first and second year of a plantation is a non negligeable parameter considering the improved capacity that these seedlings need to support snow and ice damage in the first and second winter after plantation.

I should be noted, that this is the first phase of the study and the evaluated results are considered as preliminary.

The same plantations in all three sites will be sampled again in the spring of 2002 before the planting season and after the growing season 2002.

 


Visual evaluation

a ) Habitus:

A brighter color and vigorous growth was manifested by sturdiness, dense and heavier needles on lateral and annual shoots of fertilized seedlings as when compared with a normal growth of non-fertilized seedlings.

A greater number of lateral shoots, markedly longer were observed on fertilized seedlings. Smaller number and shorter lateral shoots were noted on non-fertilized seedlings when they were compared with fertilized seedlings. However, they were not counted or measured. It is planed to verify supplementary parameters in the spring 2002 before the planting/growing season.

 


Output and labor cost

Based on the present experience of Mr. J. C. Nadeau, owner of the plantations, one (1) manday (8 hrs)fertilizing output amounts to tablets/tree number of trees

4 (40 g)

2 (20 g)

1 (10 g)

1000 ? 1200

1550 ? 1800

2000

 

FPBQ, Fédération des Producteurs de Bois du Québec- Production Cost Study (1989) rated the wages of forest workers at the private woodlots at $ 13.00/hr.

Based on 8 hr day = $ 104

for 4 tablets is in a range of

$ 0.09 - 0.10

for 2 tablets is in a range of

$ 0.06 - 0.07

for 1 tablet is in a range of

$ 0.05

 


Other developments

To facilitate easier, more precise and eventually to increase the number of fertilized seedlings per given time, it is believed, that it will be possible to develop a simple tool for the purpose of fertilizer tablet application, before the next planting/growing season.

An intervention at Feric to help with this development is in the planning.

 

Quebec 2001-12-10