A Pinus pinea fertilization trial has recently been established close to Chamusca. The experimental design applied in the field consists of 3 blocks with 8 treatments each corresponding to 1 control and 7 levels of fertilization. Each treatment can be described as follows:
T1 T (control no fertilization)
T2 N
T3 NP
T4 NPK
T5 NPK + Ca
T6 NPK + Micronutrients
T7 NPK + Ca+ Micronutrients
T8 NPK + Ca+ Micronutrients (N can be differentiated)
Soil samples were collected at two depths in each plot, giving a total of 48 soil samples. These samples will be analyzed. P, K and Ca were applied before planting.
Micronutrients were applied after planting. The PINEA Project is scheduled to start in 2012. N will be applied in the Spring of every year for three years. Increasing quantities of N will be applied, based on the increasing size of plants.
When the trees will have 3 years they will be grafted. Grafting in Pinus pinea anticipates cone production the first cones start to appear one year after grafting. The other major advantage of grafting is that is possible to select the genetic material to be used from plus trees (Carrasquinho et al. 2010). Grafting depends on the plants’ development and is usually in the second year (Carneiro et al. 2007).
The PINEA Project aims to assess the impact on early survival from the fertilization treatments as well as height growth, which will be measured every year. Another important aspect to evaluate is the effect of fertilization on grafting success one year after the grafting has been carried out. In the last year of the trial (2014) one soil analysis and one foliar analysis will be carried out for every plot. These results will provide important information on the impact from fertilization in Pinus pinea stands during establishment years.