Effect of liming alder plantations (Alnus acuminate) in Andisols of the Virilla River upper watershed, Costa Rica

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of alder trees (Alnus acuminata (H.B.K.) O. Kuntze) to liming in Andisols of 2 sites of the Virilla River upper watershed, Costa Rica. The first experiment was set up in 2002 at the Hospiciofarm, Vista de Mar, Goicoechea County, at 1542 masl; on a soil classified as Typic Udivitrands. A second experiment was carried out in 1997 at Dorvalfarm,Las Nubes, Vásquez de Coronado County, at 1925 masl, on a soil classified as Thaptic Udivitrands. Liming treatments were: 0 (check), 750, 1500 y 2250 kg.ha^-1 of calcium and magnesium carbonate (Dolomite), 1500 kg.ha^-1 of calcium carbonate (Calcita) and 1500 kg.ha^-1 of calcium sulfate (Gypsum). Dasometric variables measured were diameter at breast height (DBH) at 1.3 m, total height of trees, and volume was estimated using the formula: V(m³)=2.71828 – ^{10.0557 + ln(d)*2.0369 + 0.927718*ln(h)} as proposed by Segura et al. (2005), where d represents DBH (cm) and h is total height (m). None of the liming treatments significantly affected DBH annual increment, total height, average height annual increment, total volume and total volume annual increment in any of the 2 farms. Nor liming affected any tree growth variable by season (dry vs. wet season). No significant differences were found among dasometric variables due to the addition of different liming sources. The lack of response to the soil amendments compared demonstrates that the soil available Ca, Mg and S was enough to provide these nutrients in quantities that allow alder optimum growth. None of the soils studies showed acidy problems large enough to adversely affect alder tree growth.