Forage response to N, P, and S fertilization on clearcut lodgepole pine sites

Abstract

The response of selected plant species to a single application of factorial combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) on 2 lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) clearcut-logged sites in British Columbia was evaluated over 3 years. Increasing N rates typically resulted in higher forage standing crop on both sites, in all years. but standing crop at Fly Creek was nearly double that at Beaverdam Lake. On both sites, forage yields peaked at 400 kg N/ha in 1982 and carry-over of the fertilizer effect lasted for 3 years although yields declined annually. Addition of P to N applications enhanced (P < 0.05) total standing crop, other grass standing crop, and pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl.) standing crop at Beaverdam Lake and grass standing crop at Fly Creek, but had no effect (P > 0.05) on other species and groups. Sulfur, added to N applications, enhanced total yields compared to control on both clearcuts although at Fly Creek this response nearly doubled that produced at Beaverdam Lake. Nitrogen fertilization increased (P < 0.05) pinegrass crude protein (CP) content, particularly in the first year after fertilization. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) generally increased in response to increasing N levels in 1982, but declined compared to control in 1983 and 1984. Elevated forage CP levels, litter N concentrations, and soil N levels in 1984 indicated that the carry-over response on these forest sites resulted directly from N remaining in the soil or again becoming available for plant growth.