Effects of Midrotation Intensive Silviculture on Forest Soils in East Texas: First-Year Results

S. A. Wilson, K. W. Farrish, B. P. Oswald, H. M. Williams, J. L. Yeiser

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Intensive forest management is becoming increasingly common in east Texas. Included in intensive management are such practices as mid-rotation fertilization, prescribed fire, and herbicide application. There is insufficient information about the effects of these treatments on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties when applied at mid-rotation. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the effects of these treatments on soil physical properties including organic matter content and bulk density; chemical properties including soil nitrogen and phosphorus; and on populations of resident earthworms. Five replications were installed in each of two loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations aged 15 and 17. Both were thinned in 1998. Accord SP and Chopper emulsion were ground applied in the fall of 1999. The prescribed burn treatment occurred the following spring. Fertilizer was applied one to two weeks after completion of the burn to supply 224 kilograms per hectare of N and 28 kilograms per hectare of P. First-year results are presented.

Original languageUndefined/Unknown
StatePublished - Jan 1 2002

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