Pastures fertilization effect on the delimitation and caracteristics of Pinus radiata D. Don juvenil wood

Abstract

This study presents the effects of prairie fertilization on the juvenile wood delimitation, on wood basic density, late wood percentage and on ring wide for Pinus radiata in Chile. Wood samples were taken at diameter at breast height (DBH). Two silvopastoril trails were evaluated, one corresponding to a fertilized prairie and the other to a non-fertilized prairie. In addition, tree height dominance was considered on each prairie (dominants, intermediate, and suppressed). Results showed at f irst, that production of juvenile wood in Pinus radiata growing on silvopastoril cultivation ceases between the 7th and the 11th year of age. At second, it was found that prairie fertilization had no significant effects on juvenile wood formation. At third, prairie fertilization tended to produce wood of low basic density and low percentages of late wood, but greater ring width. Finally, the end of the juvenile period occurred when the current annual increment in tree height and DBH reached the maximum.