Loblolly Pine Growth and Competition Response to Varied Chemical Site Preparation and Release Treatments 14 Years After Establishment in the Piedmont of Virginia
摘要
We examined the 14-year effects of experimentally varied chemical site preparation and release treatments in a Pinus taeda L. plantation in Dillwyn, Virginia, US. The study examined the effects of timing (July, September, or October) for imazapyr site preparation, with or without the addition of sulfometuron methyl (SFM), year-one release from herbaceous weeds using SFM plus imazapyr, and year-two release treatment using imazapyr at a rate to control hardwoods. Chemical site preparation treatment applications exhibited a reduction in competition basal area ha-1 and an increase in pine volume compared to the check, however, application timing was the most influential factor in determining the effectiveness of the treatments. September 3rd and October 1st applications averaged less competing vegetation basal area than the year-two release and the check plots. At age 14-years, competing vegetation reduced individual pine tree volumes by 5.6% for every one m2 of competing vegetation basal area.