Post-fertilization physiology and growth performance of loblolly pine clones

The physiological processes leading to enhanced growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) following fertilization are not clearly understood. Part of the debate revolves around the temporal response of net photosynthetic rate (An) to fertilization and whether the An response is always positive. We me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tree physiology 2008-05, Vol.28 (5), p.703-711
Main Authors: King, N.T, Seiler, J.R, Fox, T.R, Johnsen, K.H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
clonal variation
clones
dry matter partitioning
fertilizer application
forest trees
gas exchange
genotype-environment interaction
nitrogen
Nitrogen - metabolism
photosynthesis
Photosynthesis - physiology
Pinus taeda
Pinus taeda - growth & development
Pinus taeda - metabolism
Pinus taeda - physiology
Pollination - physiology
provenance
Soil - analysis
Time Factors
tree crown
tree growth
tree nutrition
tree physiology
volume
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Summary:The physiological processes leading to enhanced growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) following fertilization are not clearly understood. Part of the debate revolves around the temporal response of net photosynthetic rate (An) to fertilization and whether the An response is always positive. We measured light-saturated photosynthetic rate (Asat), dark respiration rate, growth and crown silhouette area in eight clones of loblolly pine before and after nitrogen (N) fertilization (112 kg ha-1) to track the initial physiological changes prior to any changes in growth. Overall, there were positive photosynthetic and growth responses to fertilization; however, there were pronounced physiological and growth differences among clones, even among clones with the same parents. Clones 4, 6 and 7 showed large volume growth and Asat responses to fertilization. Clone 1 and Clone 8 (a full-sibling of Clone 7) mainly showed a volume growth response, whereas Clone 2 (full-sibling of Clone 1) showed an Asat response only. Clone 5 (full-sibling of Clone 6) showed little response to fertilization, whereas Clone 3 (full-sibling of Clone 4) showed a negative Asat response. Thus, within-family variation warrants further study to ensure that relatively expensive clonal material is used efficiently.
ISSN:0829-318X
1758-4469
DOI:10.1093/treephys/28.5.703