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Radiata pine - soil degrader or improver
Authors: G.M. Will, R. BallardPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1976, Issue N.Z.J.For. 21(2) 1976, pp 248-252, Aug 1976
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: Prominent European and American foresters and soil scientists have concluded that, contrary to popular belief, successive crops of conifers do not in themselves cause serious and irreversible soil deterioration. Where deterioration has occurred it has been due to man's mismanagement in allowing such practices as litter removal to occur, and his failure to apply fertilisers to infertile sites.
In New Zealand instances are reported where well-managed radiata pine forests have improved soil fertility. Where, on infertile sites, a decline in growth of the second crop has been recorded, growth rates can be substantially increased by the application of fertilisers.