How does fire affect longleaf pine roots carbohydrates, foliar nutrients, and sapling growth?

This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.

Download
(PDF; 226 KB)
Cite
Feedback
  • Authors: Kuehler, Eric A.; Sword Sayer, Marry Anne; Andries, C. Dan
  • Publication Year: 2006
  • Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication
  • Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 98-101

Abstract

In central Louisiana, we conducted a prescribed-fire study in a 5-year-old longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) stand to evaluate the effects of fire on fine-root (2- to 5-mm diameter) carbohydrates, dormant season foliar nutrients, and sapling growth. Control, burn, and nonburned vegetation control treatments were studied using a randomized complete block design with five blocks. Prescribe fire was applied in May 2003. Root starch concentration was significantly lower and root glucose concentration significantly greater in the burned plots than in control and nonburned plots 1 month after treatment. Foliar potassium concentration was significantly greater after treatment in the burned plots compared to control and nonburned plots. Annual groundline diameter growth was also significantly greater in the burned plots than in the control plots. Our data suggest that fire shifts root carbohydrate and foliar potassium concentrations of longleaf pine saplings to restore leaf area and/or strengthen the tree stem.

  • Citation: Kuehler, Eric A.; Sword Sayer, Marry Anne; Andries, C. Dan 2006. How does fire affect longleaf pine roots carbohydrates, foliar nutrients, and sapling growth?. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-92. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 98-101
  • Posted Date: June 15, 2006
  • Modified Date: August 22, 2006

    • Requesting Print Publications

    Publication requests are subject to availability. Fiscal responsibility limits the hardcopies of publications we produce and distribute. Electronic versions of publications may be downloaded, distributed and printed.

    Please make any requests at pubrequest@fs.fed.us.

    Publication Notes

    • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
    • Our online publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact the SRS webmaster if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable.
    • To view this article, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.