Original article Nutrition and growth in newly established plantations of Eucalyptus globulus in northwestern Spain

Abstract – The growth and nutritional status of newly established Eucalyptus globulus plantations, located in NW Spain, were studied in relation to soil properties and site preparation techniques. Most of the plantations are growing on chemically poorly fertile soils of intermediate depth. Despite being fertilized at establishment, most of the plantations showed low foliar levels of P and Ca, and some showed deficiencies of Mg and K. Growth depended mainly on the altitude, length of the drought period and on concentrations of Ca in soils. Productivity is reflected by the concentrations of Ca in leaves. Preparation of the soil by windrowing reduced levels of Ca, Mg and P in the soil, negatively affecting nutrition and growth and causing an increase in tree mortality. The results suggest subsoiling to be the most suitable site preparation technique for shallow soils, and also indicate the need for repeated fertilization and the adoption of silviculture management practices that enhance the natural turnover of nutrients. Eucalyptus globulus / forest nutrition / forest soils / silviculture / forest growth Résumé – Nutrition et croissance dans les nouvelles plantations d’Eucalyptus globulus du nord ouest de l’Espagne. La croissance et l’état nutritionnel des plantations d’Eucalyptus globulus du nord-ouest de l’Espagne ont été étudiés en fonction des caractéristiques édaphiques et des techniques de préparation du site. La plupart des plantations sont installées sur des sols pauvres de profondeur moyenne. Bien que fertilisées à la plantation, la plupart des plantations révèlent des concentrations foliaires limites en P et Ca, et certaines révèlent des carences en Mg et K. La croissance dépend principalement de l’altitude, de la durée de la période sèche et aussi de la concentration de Ca au sol. La concentratio