Influence of Fertilization and Spacing on Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Poplar (<I>Populus deltoides</I>) Nursery

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of four fertilizer levels (N_oP_oK_o, N₁₀₀P₅₆K₂₅, N₂₀₀P_1ooK₅₀ and N_4OOP_2ooK_1OO kg ha^.1), and three spacings (35 cm x 35 cm, 50 cm x 50 cm and 65 cm x 65 cm) on growth parameters, biomass production and uptake of nutrients by PopUlus deltoides in nursery. Fertilizer application increased significantly the collar diameter, height, shoot biomass and nutrient uptake. Wider spacing (65 cm x 65 cm) produced plants having significantly higher biomass and growth parameters. The uptake of nutrients was significantly higher at closer spacing of 35 cm x 35 cm than at wider spacing (65 cm x 65 cm) but uptake per plant was lower.