Soil fertility and the growth of Pinus radiata D. Don in Chile

Abstract

Pinus radiata D. Don (Monterrey Pine) has shown to be a well adapted introduced forest species at sites with soils which have suffered increased degradation due to agricultural practices. The growth of this pine however., has been determined to be closely linked to soil fertility. Future primary production is also dependent on this factor.
The advanced knowledge refered to the relationship between growth indexes and soil characteristics give valuable information which permits to improve the forest management of this species. It also constitutes basic information to set up new approaches for scientific reseanch on this matter.