Response of a kauri stand to fertilizer addition and thinning

Authors: I.L. Barton, H.A.I. Madgwick
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1987, Issue N.Z.J.For. 32(2) 1987, pp 19-21, Aug 1987
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: In a stand of kauri (Agathis australis (D. Don) Lindl.) aged about 130 years, reduction of the number of stems per hectare by 75 per cent and basal area by about 55 per cent had only a negligible effect on stand basal area growth. Thinning stimulated growth of individual kauri. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer approximately doubled basal area growth after five years. Complete fertilizer gave an additional growth increment. The response to nitrogen fertilizer was slow compared with that of plantation-grown radiata pine, Pinus radiata (D. Don), but appears to be longer lasting.

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