Wednesday, November 15, 2006
297-3
Measuring Soil Nutrient Bioavailability in Hybrid Poplar Plantations.
Ryan D. Hangs1, Ken J. Greer1, Kenneth C. Van Rees2, and W.R. (Bill) Schroeder3. (1) Western Ag Innovations, #3-411 Downey Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N0R4, Canada, (2) Dept of Soil Science, Univ of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada, (3) Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Shelterbelt Centre, Box 940, Indian Head, SK S0G 2K0, Canada
Under conditions of adequate soil moisture, reductions in the early growth of tree seedlings mainly are attributable to soil nutrient limitations. Monitoring soil nutrient availability, therefore, is important for ensuring optimal tree nutrition and promoting successful seedling establishment and growth. Notwithstanding the importance of routine soil testing practices in supporting annual crop production, less than 10 % of the fields in western Canada currently are managed based on annual soil testing practices. Consequently, producers see limited utility in the fertilizer recommendations provided to them based on conventional soil tests. The objective of this three-year study then was to measure soil nutrient supply rates at several hybrid poplar plantations in northern Saskatchewan, using in situ burials of ion exchange membrane (Plant Root Simulator™-Probes), and relate these data to plantation productivity during the early establishment phase. Determining the relationship between soil nutrient supply rates and seedling growth should help to support effective management strategies, in terms of proper site selection and elucidating possible fertilizer requirements.
Handout (.pdf format, 617.0 kb)