Biomass, nutrient content and growth response to fertilisers of six-year-old Eucalyptus globulus plantations at three contrasting sites in Gippsland, Victoria

Abstract

Factorial combinations of three rates of N (up to 400 kg ha-1 elemental) and four rates of P (up to 200 kg ha-1) were applied during the establishment phase of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. plantations on three contrasting sites in Gippsland, south-eastern Australia. Mean annual increments of volume at 71 months ranged from 8 m3 ha-1 year-1 in control treatments on a duplex sandy loam (annual rainfall 850 mm) and a uniform sand (620 mm rainfall) to 23 m3 ha-1 year-1 at the highest combined additions of N and P on a gradational clay loam (1000 mm rainfall). Volumes to 71 months were greatest at the highest combined additions of N and P on the uniform and gradational soils, but significant effec..