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U.S. Department of Energy
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Model of growth and nitrogen demand in a loblolly pine plantation

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5304167
A model to predict the growth of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L, is described. The model is based on the known physiological and morphological characteristics of loblolly pine. It was developed to predict the annual growth and nitrogen demand of a pine plantation as affected by light, temperature, water stress, and nitrogen availability. The predictions are to be used to evaluate the effects of silvicultural practices, such as thinning, removal of red pine straw from the forest floor, or addition of nutrient amendments such as fertilizer or sewage sludge. While the predictions of the model are for annual increments of growth and nitrogen use, the basic time step of the model is one day in order to integrate the effect of climate on the growth and nitrogen cycle. The values for tree physiology used in the model were derived from the literature. The values of the parameters used to allocate growth to various parts of the trees were determined by balancing the transfer coefficients to duplicate the growth pattern of a single pine stand where detailed growth information was available. The sensitivity of the growth prediction by the model was determined for changing nitrogen availability. Further testing of the model awaits the collection of data from experiments now in progress.
Research Organization:
Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (USA). Savannah River Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-76SR00001
OSTI ID:
5304167
Report Number(s):
DP-1624; ON: DE82018328
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English