Post-Planting Fertilization as a Reforestation Aid on a Sulfurous, Semiarid Surface Mine

Abstract

Selected fertilizer formulations were assessed for their capacity to enhance growth and nutrition of Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.) seedlings on an acidic and possibly toxic Sierran surface mine when applied three years after planting. In a study encompassing five growing seasons conducted on a semiarid, montane surface mine site on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, seedling survival, dimensions, and volume measurements were coupled with foliar and soil analyses for macronutrients, micronutrients, and potentially phytotoxic metallic elements. Administered by broadcasting at four rates each, the formulations consisted of an organic amendment derived from municipal biosolids; a controlled release fertilizer containing urea, ammoniacal, and nitrate N sources; and two conventional fertilizers with one featuring urea as the predominant N form while the other delivered ammoniacal and nitrate forms. None of the formulations induced seedling mortality regardless of application rate, but the controlled release fertilizer and the conventional urea-based formulation were the most stimulatory overall, with intermediate rates of both proving most advantageous among those tested. Foliar analysis revealed that enhanced N and P nutrition, which was otherwise severely impacted by soil infertility, possibly along with that of K, probably accounted for most of the growth stimulation by the amendments, but an accessory role may have been attributable to reduced concentrations of potentially phytotoxic metallic elements, principally Mn but possibly including Fe, Cu, and Al, for which soil levels were all exceedingly elevated. With careful selection of formulation and application rate, post-planting broadcast fertilization can enhance growth and nutrition of Jeffrey pine on degraded substrates. These results provide a more complete understanding of the benefits that judicious fertilization can impart to young forest stands on surface mines and other harsh sites.

Share and Cite:

R. Walker, "Post-Planting Fertilization as a Reforestation Aid on a Sulfurous, Semiarid Surface Mine," Natural Resources, Vol. 4 No. 2, 2013, pp. 209-219. doi: 10.4236/nr.2013.42027.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] A. D. Bradshaw and M. J. Chadwick, “The Restoration of Land: The Ecology and Reclamation of Derelict and Degraded Land,” University of California Press, Berkeley, 1980.
[2] R. J. Hobbs and D. A. Norton, “Towards a Conceptual Framework for Restoration Ecology,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 4, No. 2, 1996, pp. 93-110. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100X.1996.tb00112.x
[3] W. G. Vogel, “A Guide for Revegetating Coal Minesoils in the Eastern United States,” General Technical Report NE-68, USDA Forest Service Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Broomall, 1981.
[4] D. Binkley, “Forest Nutrition Management,” John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986.
[5] R. F. Fisher and D. Binkley, “Ecology and Management of Forest Soils,” 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2000.
[6] M. M. Czapowskyj, “Establishing Forest on SurfaceMined Land as Related to Fertility and Fertilization,” Forest Fertilization Symposium Proceedings, General Technical Report NE-3, USDA Forest Service Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, 1973, pp. 132-139.
[7] R. van den Driessche, “Effects of Nutrients on Stock Performance in the Forest,” In: R. van den Driessche, Ed., Mineral Nutrition of Conifer Seedlings, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1991, pp. 229-260.
[8] R. F. Walker, D. C. West, S. B. McLaughlin and C. C. Amundsen, “Growth, Xylem Pressure Potential, and Nutrient Absorption of Loblolly Pine on a Reclaimed Surface Mine as Affected by an Induced Pisolithus tinctorius Infection,” Forest Science, Vol. 35, No. 2, 1989, pp. 569-581.
[9] C. N. Casselman, T. R. Fox, J. A. Burger, A. T. Jones and J. M. Galbraith, “Effects of Silvicultural Treatments on Survival and Growth of Trees Planted on Reclaimed Mine Lands in the Appalachians,” Forest Ecology and Management, Vol. 223, No. 1-3, 2006, pp. 403-414. doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2005.12.020
[10] D. A. Rook, “Seedling Development and Physiology in Relation to Mineral Nutrition,” In: R. van den Driessche, Ed., Mineral Nutrition of Conifer Seedlings, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1991, pp. 85-111.
[11] R. F. Walker, “Advancing Forest Cover Development on a High-Elevation Sierra Nevada Mine Site with Nutritional Amendments,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2008, pp. 486-494. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100X.2007.00322.x
[12] D. G. Cummins, W. T. Plass and C. E. Gentry, “Chemical and Physical Properties of Spoil Banks in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields,” Research Paper CS-17, USDA Forest Service Central States Forest Experiment Station, Columbus, 1965.
[13] R. I. Barnhisel and H. F. Massey, “Chemical, Mineralogical and Physical Properties of Eastern Kentucky Acid-Forming Coal Spoil Materials,” Soil Science, Vol. 108, No. 5, 1969, pp. 367-372. doi:10.1097/00010694-196911000-00010
[14] W. A. Berg and W. G. Vogel, “Toxicity of Acid Coal Mine Spoils to Plants,” In: R. J. Hutnik and G. Davis, Eds., Ecology and Reclamation of Devastated Land, Gordon & Breach, New York, 1973, pp. 57-68.
[15] K. Hage, “Recultivation in the Lusatian Mining Region: Targets and Prospects,” Water, Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 91, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 43-57. doi:10.1007/BF00280922
[16] Z. Strzyszcz, “Recultivation and Landscaping in Areas after Brown-Coal Mining in Middle-East European Countries,” Water, Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 91, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 145-157. doi:10.1007/BF00280930
[17] R. I. Butterfield and P. T. Tueller, “Revegetation Potential of Acid Mine Wastes in Northeastern California,” Reclamation Review, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1980, pp. 21-31.
[18] California Environmental Protection Agency, “Abandoned Mine Lands Preliminary Assessment Handbook,” California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1998.
[19] R. W. Brown, M. C. Amacher, W. F. Mueggler and J. Kotuby-Amacher, “Reestablishing Natural Succession on Acidic Mine Spoils at High Elevation: Long-Term Ecological Restoration,” Research Paper RMRS-RP-41, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, 2003.
[20] D. A. Mays and G. W. Bengtson, “Lime and Fertilizer Use in Land Reclamation in Humid Regions,” In: F. W. Schaller and P. Sutton, Eds., Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 1978, pp. 307-328.
[21] R. M. Smith and A. A. Sobek, “Physical and Chemical Properties of Overburdens, Spoils, Wastes, and New Soils,” In: F. W. Schaller and P. Sutton, Eds., Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 1978, pp. 149-172.
[22] J. Katzur and M. Haubold-Rosar, “Amelioration and Reforestation of Sulfurous Mine Soils in Lusatia (Eastern Germany),” Water, Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 91, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 17-32. doi:10.1007/BF00280920
[23] R. F. Walker, “Growth and Nutritional Responses of Bareroot Jeffrey Pine on a Sierra Nevada Surface Mine to Minisite Applications of Fertilizer and Lime,” New Forests, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2002, pp. 225-238. doi:10.1023/A:1021337321332
[24] R. F. Walker, “Reestablishment of Jeffrey Pine on an Acidic Sierra Nevada Surface Mine: Influence of Fertilizer and Lime Amendments on Early Growth and Nutrition,” Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2002, pp. 1-27. doi:10.1300/J091v15n03_01
[25] R. F. Walker, “Comparison of Organic and Chemical Soil Amendments Used in the Reforestation of a Harsh Sierra Nevada Site,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2003, pp. 466-474. doi:10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.rec0216.x
[26] D. A. Potter, “Guide to Forested Communities of the Upper Montane in the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada,” Technical Publication R5-ECOL-TP-003, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Sonora, 1994.
[27] A. L. Page, R. H. Miller and D. R. Keeney, “Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties,” 2nd Edition, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 1982.
[28] A. Klute, “Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1, Physical and Mineralogical Methods,” 2nd Edition, American Society of Agronomy, Madison, 1986.
[29] G. H. Schubert and R. S. Adams, “Reforestation Practices for Conifers in California,” California Department of Forestry, Sacramento, 1975.
[30] S. L. Tisdale, W. L. Nelson and J. D. Beaton, “Soil Fertility and Fertilizers,” 4th Edition, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1985.
[31] R. F. Walker, “Responses of Jeffrey Pine on a Surface Mine Site to Fertilizer and Lime,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2002, pp. 204-212. doi:10.1046/j.1526-100X.2002.00070.x
[32] J. L. Ruehle, D. H. Marx and H. D. Muse, “Calculated Nondestructive Indices of Growth Response for Young Pine Seedlings,” Forest Science, Vol. 30, No. 2, 1984, pp. 469-474.
[33] K. Helrich, “Official Methods of Analysis: Volume 1,” 15th Edition, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, 1990.
[34] R. F. Walker, “Artificial Regeneration of Jeffrey Pine in the Sierra Nevada: Growth, Nutrition, and Water Relations as Influenced by Controlled Release Fertilization and Solar Protection,” Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Vol. 9, No. 3-4, 1999, pp. 23-38. doi:10.1300/J091v09n03_02
[35] K. Prach and R. J. Hobbs, “Spontaneous Succession versus Technical Reclamation in the Restoration of Disturbed Sites,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 363-366. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100X.2008.00412.x
[36] R. F. Walker, “Nutritional Augmentation of Jeffrey Pine Saplings on a Harsh Sierran Site,” Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Vol. 30, No. 4, 2011, pp. 263-283. doi:10.1080/10549811.2010.490107
[37] J. B. Jones Jr., B. Wolf and H. A. Mills, “Plant Analysis Handbook,” Micro-Macro Publishing, Athens, 1991.
[38] D. Heinsdorf, “Development of Forest Stands in the Lusatian Lignite Mining District after Mineral Fertilization Adapted to Site and Tree Species,” Water, Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 91, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 33-42. doi:10.1007/BF00280921
[39] A. Singh, A. K. Jha and J. S. Singh, “Effect of Nutrient Enrichment on Native Tropical Trees Planted on Singrauli Coalfields, India,” Restoration Ecology, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2000, pp. 80-86. doi:10.1046/j.1526-100x.2000.80011.x
[40] V. R. Timmer, “Interpretation of Seedling Analysis and Visual Symptoms,” In: R. van den Driessche, Ed., Mineral Nutrition of Conifer Seedlings, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1991, pp. 113-134.
[41] J. D. Lawrey, “Trace Metal Accumulation by Plant Species from a Coal Strip-Mining Area in Ohio,” Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, Vol. 104, No. 4, 1977, pp. 368375. doi:10.2307/2484782
[42] W. H. O. Pietsch, “Recolonization and Development of Vegetation on Mine Spoils Following Brown Coal Mining in Lusatia,” Water, Air and Soil Pollution, Vol. 91, No. 1-2, 1996, pp. 1-15.
[43] H. F. Massey and R. I. Barnhisel, “Copper, Nickel, and Zinc Released from Acid Coal Mine Spoil Materials of Eastern Kentucky,” Soil Science, Vol. 113, No. 3, 1972, pp. 207-212. doi:10.1097/00010694-197203000-00011
[44] R. O. Nable, G. S. Banuelos and J. G. Paull, “Boron Toxicity,” Plant and Soil, Vol. 198, No. 1-2, 1997, pp. 181-198. doi:10.1023/A:1004272227886

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.