Abstract

GOMEZ-ROMERO, M; DE LA BARRERA, E; VILLEGAS, J  and  LINDIG-CISNEROS, R. Fertilization and association with pioneer herbaceous species on the performance of Pinus pseudostrobus. Phyton (B. Aires) [online]. 2013, vol.82, n.1, pp.135-143. ISSN 1851-5657.

When degradation is severe, as it is often the case on acrisols, it is necessary to test the effect of plant-plant interactions in their survival and growth. An experiment was conducted, with substrate from an eroded site (acrisols with gullies) in a shaded greenhouse (30% shade) to evaluate the effect of fertilization and the presence of pioneer herbaceous species in the performance of Pinus pseudostrobus. The pioneer species Lupinus mexicanus and Tithonia tubiformis were used in three experimental treatments and a control. To fertilize, KH₂PO₄ was applied in four concentration levels. There were a total of 16 treatment combinations when considering both factors. Results showed significant differences (p≤0.01) among the treatments of presence of pioneer herbaceous species. The species that was more influential in pine performance was the legume Lupinus mexicanus; when it was present, the pines had a higher survival (98%) than pines under control conditions (78%), being the difference statistically significant. Fertilization had no efect neither in the survival nor the performance of P. pseudostrobus. These results suggest that in these soils, reestablishing biotic interactions is necessary for improving the performance of tree species.

Keywords : Lupinus; Erosion; Understory; Ecological restoration; Phosphorus.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )