. 1979 Research accomplishments : forests for our needs. Forests and forestry Research United States. Environment. Forest Fertilization and Water Quality Research has demonstrated that timber growth can be doubled on certain sites through proper application of nitrogen fertilizers without the risk of contaminating groundwater with nitrate. Nitrates are normally present Ln low amounts in undisturbed forest soils, regardless of depth. The Pacific Southwest Station has established a battery of studies in four geomorphic provinces in California to determine not only the benefits of fertilization o
. 1979 Research accomplishments : forests for our needs. Forests and forestry Research United States. Environment. Forest Fertilization and Water Quality Research has demonstrated that timber growth can be doubled on certain sites through proper application of nitrogen fertilizers without the risk of contaminating groundwater with nitrate. Nitrates are normally present Ln low amounts in undisturbed forest soils, regardless of depth. The Pacific Southwest Station has established a battery of studies in four geomorphic provinces in California to determine not only the benefits of fertilization on timber growth, but also the effect on water quality. The results of the studies have shown that when nitrogen was apphed at rates as high as 400 pounds per acre, the nitrate con- centrations were comparable to the natural concentrations at a depth of 1 meter below the soil surface. This depth is well above the surface of the permanent water table in the four test areas. The fertilizers were applied in the faU. When the soil warmed in the spring, the nitrate concentrations tended to intensify in the upper layers of the soil profile. But the tree roots also became more active and effectively absorbed much of the nitrate before it filtered to more critical depths. Scientists are working on techniques to determine what biological, ecological, and economic returns can be expected from treating forest soils with fertilizer. These techniques and analyses will be used to produce guidelines or prescriptions for fertihzation programs that will increase timber produc- tivity without jeopardizing water Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original United States. Forest Service. [Washington, D. C. ?] : U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service
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