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Slash and Loblolly Pine Productivity on Reclaimed Titanium Mined Lands in Northeast Florida

Proctor, P. A.
Rockwood, D. L.
Mathey, J. A.
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Abstract

Titanium mining often occurs on forestlands that previously supported productive pine plantations. The productivity of reclaimed mined lands is uncertain, based on observations that tree height on reclaimed lands is less, perhaps due to compaction. This paper summarizes early results from field studies initiated in December 1999 on unmined and reclaimed mined lands near Green Cove Springs, Florida, using two slash (Pinus elliottii var. elliottii) and loblolly (Pinus taeda) pine progenies, three fertilizers (granulite, diammonium phosphate, and a 16-4-8 blend at 36lbs N/acre (40.3 kg N/ha)) each, one herbicide (glyphosate), one dry humate addition, one mycorrhizal inoculation, subsoiling, and various combinations thereof to determine silvicultural treatments that optimize pine productivity on reclaimed mined lands. Mined sites had significantly higher survival but shorter trees than the unmined lands. A combination of treatments, including pines genetically superior for growth and disease resistance, may afford the opportunity for sustaining pine productivity on titanium mined lands.

Date
2003