Relationships between macro- and micronutrient nutrition of slash pine on three coastal plain soils

• Published in: Plant and soil 1972-02, Vol.36 (2), p.331-347
• Main Authors: Van Lear, D.H, Smith, W.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coastal plain soils; Forest soils; Micronutrients; Pine trees; Pinus elliottii; Sandy loam soils; Seedlings; Soil fertility; Soil toxicity; Soil treatment; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01373488

Slash pine seedlings on Bladen, Leon, and Lakeland soils responded differently to P and N fertilization. Seedling growth was increased by all treatments on Bladen soil, whereas responses by seedlings on the other soils were nil. All soils were low in extractable P with both Bladen and Lakeland yielding 0.85 ppm P. Growth response to fertilizer was positive on Bladen soil because soil and tissue levels of P were raised above "critical" levels and other nutrients were present in adequate quantities. Tissue analyses indicated, and subsequent experiments utilizing macro- and micronutrients proved, that excess P applications reduced certain micronutrients to growth-limiting levels on both Leon and Lakeland soils. Best growth on Leon soil occurred when P and N were supplemented with Cu. On the Lakeland soil macronutrients supplemented with Cu, Mn, or Zn produced greatest growth. Toxicity levels of five micronutrients on the latter soil also were determined.