The effect of genotype on biomass and nutrient content in 11-year-old loblolly pine plantations

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Abstract
Dry weights and nutrient contents of all aboveground biomass components were estimated for four seed sources of 11-year-old loblolly pine (Pinustaeda L.) grown in plantations of the same spacing on an old-field site of high quality in the hilly region of north-central Arkansas, U.S.A. Soil nutrient content was estimated to a depth of 0.61 m. Stand data averaged over all seeds sources are in agreement with published reports for dry weight and nutrient accumulation for loblolly pine if differences associated with seasonal variation are considered. Seed source significantly affected total dry matter and nutrient accumulations. Estimated total aboveground mean annual accumulation of biomass for the four seed sources ranged from 5.99 × 103 to 11.17 × 103 kg/ha per year. Elemental accumulation (kilograms per hectare per year) ranged from 14.06 to 23.66 for N, 1.54 to 3.45 for P, and 6.96 to 18.43 for K. On the average, trees comprise 84% of the aboveground plant biomass and contain 76% of the N, 77% of the P, and 90%, of the K associated with plant tissue. The significant influence of seed source on these stand values can affect the potential impact of short rotation, total tree harvesting on long-term site productivity. The elemental content of the tree biomass ranged from 7 to 11% of the total N, 20 to 35% of the P, and 14 to 30% of the K in the soil–litter–plant system.

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