N-P-K fertilisation of teak ('Tectona grandis') plantations: a case study in Costa Rica
2017
Fernández Moya, Jesús | Alvarado Hernández, Alfredo | Fallas, Juan Luis | San Miguel Ayanz, Alfonso | Marchamalo Sacristán, Miguel
Despite the international importance of teak ('Tectona grandis') plantations, very few studies have been published on fertilisation, generally with inconsistent conclusions. To evaluate the effect of N-P-K fertilisation on teak stands of different ages and related factors, four N-P-K fertilisation trials were analysed over an 11-year chronosequence (1, 3, 6 and 10 year-old plantations) in northern lowlands of Costa Rica. The site has a humid climate (with 3 dry months) and low fertility clayey acidic red soils (typic hapludults). ANOVA and Tukey-LSD mean differences tests (α = 0.05) were conducted to determine the best fertilisation treatment at each age. No evidence of growth improvement, related to fertilisation, was observed in the 3 and 10-year-old plantations, while a positive (but low) effect of fertilisation was recorded in the 1 and 6-year-old plantations. The present study highlighted the need for further research with greater scope, both spatial and temporal, to gain a clearer understanding of the fertilisation requirements of teak, an important pantropical species.
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