Nutritional Aspects of the Littleleaf Disease of Pine

Authors: Roth, Elmer R.; Toole, E. Richard; Hepting, George H.

Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 46, Number 8, 1 August 1948 , pp. 578-587(10)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $29.50 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Littleleaf disease of pine is a serious and widespread deterioration of unknown cause, affecting shortleaf and to a lesser degree loblolly pine. Diseased shortleaf pines show a marked deficiency of nitrogen and calcium in the foliage. A variety of fertilizers and other soil amendments have been tested for their effect in preventing or inducing some degree of recovery from littleleaf. The addition of large quantities of nitrate or ammoniacal fertilizers was generally effective in reducing the incidence of littleleaf among healthy trees, and inducing improvement among many trees already diseased. At the concentrations used, salts or combinations of salts of 14 other elements applied in various ways, and organic matter added as leaf mold, stable manure, and compost have had little or no beneficial effect. Littleleaf seems to be associated with failure of the trees to absorb sufficient nitrogen, even where soil nitrogen is present in amounts regarded as adequate for the development of normal shortleaf pine.

Document Type: Journal article

Affiliations: 1: Associate Pathologists and Senior Pathologist, Division of Forest Pathology, Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture, in Cooperation with the Southeaster

Publication date: 1948-08-01

More about this publication?