Open access publications in the SLU publication database

Abstract

A study has been made of the effects of different methods of fertilizing spruce plants (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in the nursery before planting them on Calluna heath land in S.W. Sweden. It was found that the use of superphosphate led to strongly stimulated development of the plants after planting. The same was also the case after fertilizing with NPK, while the use of only a similar amount of nitrogen or potassium as is contained in NPK did not have a positive effect. The growth of spruce was often further promoted if a dose of lime (5,000 lig/ha) was added in the nursery. Fertilization after planting was effective only if carried out after the plants had overcome the stunt period of juvenile development. The development of mycorrhiza kept pace with the growth of the plants. It was not possible to establish whether the plants grew better once the development of mycorrhiza (which is clearly stimulated by the addition of phosphate) had increased or whether the development of mycorrhiza was stimulated in conjunction with the improved plant growth. Combined cultures using pine, larch, birch and alder led to an improvement in the growth of the spruce plants on condition that the auxiliary trees were cleaned at an early stage.