Comparison of establishment methods for Pinus radiata on a former P. pinaster site.  D. W. Flinn.  September 1978.  11 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

The effects of three site preparation methods involving retention of logging residue, burning and cultivation together with seven fertiliser/weedicide treatments on establishment of P. radiata on a former P. pinaster site were examined. Mortality was generally low and not markedly affected by any treatment or site preparation method. Early growth was consistently and often substantially better on slash macerated and scalped sites, for most fertiliser/weedicide treatments, than on the broadcast burnt and cultivated, and windrow burnt and cultivated sites. Growth responses on unburned sites were nearly double those on burnt sites for most fertiliser/weedicide treatments slightly less for the control treatment.

There was a statistically significant growth response to chemical weed control by Vorox M2 on burnt and cultivated sites but not on unburnt sites, indicating a mulching effect due to retention of litter and logging residues. There was no significant response to fertiliser in the presence of weedicide on broadcast burnt and ploughed sites indicating increased nutrient availability in the short-term. However, nutrient losses associated with burning and cultivation are likely to be reflected in future growth whereas the continuing release of nutrients from decomposing logging residue on unburnt sites could help maintain satisfactory growth rates.

Thus results show that early growth is enhanced by retaining litter and logging residue from the first crop compared with the more commonly used methods of broadcast or windrow burning followed by ploughing. Conservation of soil moisture through the mulching effect of litter and residue appears to be the main factor responsible for the differences between the site preparation methods tested. Fertiliser and weedicide inputs should therefore be reduced by retaining residue and litter.

It is concluded the retention of logging residue and litter from the first pine crop is likely to be a considerably better practice than burning and cultivation for re-establishment of pine on infertile sandy soils in south-west Victoria.

Also published:

Flinn, D.W. (1978)  Comparison of establishment methods for Pinus radiata on a former P. pinaster site.  Aust. For. 41 (3): 167-76.