Long-term effect of fertilization on stone pine growth and cone production
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RESEARCH PAPER
Long-term effect of fertilization on stone pine growth and cone production Verónica Loewe-Muñoz 1
&
Claudia Delard 1 & Rodrigo Del Río 1 & Mónica Balzarini 2
Received: 11 January 2020 / Accepted: 26 June 2020 # INRAE and Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract & Key message Fertilization is a feasible management technique for Pinus pinea L. cropping, with increased cone production up to 9 years after the application and superior trunk diameter growth every year. Fertilization effects on cone size-weight indicate the value of re-fertilizing. & Context Stone pine (Pinus pinea) is a species of economic interest for its highly in demand pine nuts. Despite the high value of pine nuts, cones are harvested mostly from non-managed forests. Consequently, advances in cropping techniques, such as fertilization, are needed. & Aims To monitor the effect of fertilization on growth and cone production during 10 years after fertilization, adjusted to soil characteristics, on a 16-year-old stone pine orchard. & Methods A fertilization trial including fertilized and non-fertilized plots was established. Diameter (trunk and crown) and height were repeatedly measured in each tree for 10 years. Cones were annually harvested from each tree and counted. & Results Stone pine cone production increased significantly from the third to the ninth year of treatment, with a peak increase of 3.3 times. & Conclusion Fertilization was a useful silvicultural practice to increase stone pine cone production. Periodical fertilization is recommended. Keywords Stone pine . Fertilization . Cone production
1 Introduction Handling Editor: Barry A. Gardiner Contribution of the co-authors VL designed the study, directed the projects that funded the study, and wrote most of the paper. CD was in charge of measurements and field activities and contributed to the paper elaboration. RDR performed the statistical analysis, elaborated figures, and collaborated in information gathering and practical issues of the publication. MB designed, supervised, and significantly contributed to the paper discussion. All authors discussed the results and implications and commented on the manuscript at all stages. * Verónica Loewe-Muñoz [email protected] Mónica Balzarini [email protected] 1
Chilean Forest Institute (INFOR), Sucre 2397, Ñuñoa Santiago Chile
2
CONICET Biometry Unit, College of Agriculture, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Haya de la Torre s/n Córdoba Argentina
Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is a valuable species for its delicious and highly nutritious edible seeds, the pine nuts or pinoli (Segura et al. 2006), the most expensive nut worldwide (INC 2018). Pine nuts are a good source of fat, proteins, vitamins (E, B6, niacin, folic acid), and a variety of phytochemicals, and contain high levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper (Nergiz and Dönmez 2004; Evaristo et al. 2010; Bolling et al. 2011; Lutz et al. 2016). Despite the high value of pine nuts, specific cultivation techniques of stone pi
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