A Regional Study on the Influence of Woody and Herbaceous Competition on Early Loblolly Pine Growth

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Abstract
A common study design has been installed at 14 locations Southwide to track the growth of loblolly pine established with four different competition control treatments: (a) no control, (b) woody control, (c) herbaceous control, and (d) total control after site preparation. This regionwide investigation is the Competition Omission Monitoring Project (COMP). During the first 5 years, the general pine response by treatment has been greater growth in height, diameter, and volume index as follows: total control > herbaceous control > woody control > no control. Generally, diameter growth was more responsive than height to vegetation control treatments. On 13 plantation study sites, pine volume after 5 years with total control averaged about fourfold more than with no control. Volume was increased by an average of 67% with woody control, while herbaceous control increased volume by 171%, showing the greater average influence of herbaceous competition during the initial 5 years. The magnitude of growth reductions by competitors varied by site and intensity. South. J. Appl. For. 15(4):169-179.

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