Influence of different fertilizers on nett gain or loss of soil nitrogen in long-term manure and fertilizer applications

Summary The nett gain or loss of total soil nitrogen was worked out from a long-term manure and fertilizer experiment conducted for seven years and still continuing at Ranchi Agricultural College, Kanke, Ranchi India. The total nitrogen in soil showed a deficit balance where lower and unbalanced doses of fertilizers were applied. Increasing levels of fertilizer combinations with lime removed the highest amount of nitrogen in intensive cropping. The nett loss was highest (95 kg/ha) in case of control, at 100% NPK the nett gain was 37 kg N per ha, and at 150% NPK 72 kg N per ha which was the highest.     

我国稻田氮磷流失现状及影响因素研究进展

水稻是我国主要的粮食作物,分析现阶段我国稻田氮磷流失现状及影响因素,对明确不同区域水稻化肥减施潜力具有重要意义.本研究对我国主要稻区地表径流氮磷流失现状特征和降雨、种植模式、栽培技术、施肥管理、水分管理方式及其他影响因素进行了总结.六大稻区全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)径流损失量范围分别在5.09～21.32和0.70～3.22 kg·hm^-2,均以华南双季稻区最高,TN径流损失量以华北单季稻区最低,TP径流损失量以西南高原单双季稻区最低.各稻区农户习惯施肥的水稻田田面水TN、TP峰值普遍高于径流水.水稻施肥后一周内为氮磷流失高峰期.与优化施肥相比,农户习惯施肥仍具有20%左右的氮磷减施潜力.各因素中,降雨和施肥管理是影响稻田径流氮磷流失的主要因素,而施肥管理和水分管理则最具可控性,具体调控措施包括化肥减量、施用新型肥料、有机肥代替化肥和节水灌溉等.整体上我国稻田氮磷流失风险在南方更突出.应以资源高效利用模式进行水稻种植以降低养分流失风险.未来研究应侧重稻田面源污染监测、氮磷流失风险评估、氮磷流失特征和机理、化肥减施增效新技术等方向.     

Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. as growth promoters in maize (Zea mays L.)

Microbes that are beneficial to plants are used to enhance the crop growth, yield and are alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Trichoderma and Bacillus are the predominant plant growth-promoting fungi and bacteria. The objective of this study was select, characterize, and evaluate isolates of Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. native from the northern region of Sinaloa, Mexico, and assess their effect on growth promotion in maize (Zea mays L.). In greenhouse conditions, four Trichoderma isolates and twenty Bacillus isolates, as well as two controls, were tested in a completely randomized design with three replicates. We selected the two best strains of Trichoderma and Bacillus: TB = Trichoderma asperellum, TF = Trichoderma virens, B14 = Bacillus cereus sensu lato and B17 = Bacillus cereus, which were evaluated in the field in a completely randomized blocks in factorial arrangement design with three replicates applying different rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 150 kg N/ha, and 300 kg N/ha). Treatments 5 (B17 = B. cereus) and 11 (TF = T. virens) both fertilized with 150 kg N/ha showed similar yields and they did not reveal significant differences from the treatments fertilized with 300 kg N/ha. This indicated that treatment 5 (B17= B. cereus with 150 kg N/ha) and treatment 11 (TF= T. virens with 150 kg N/ha) were efficient as growth promoters, by not showing significant differences in root volume and dry weight of foliage. The results indicated a reduction of 50% in the rate of nitrogen to fertilizer required for maize (Zea mays L.) crops. These microorganisms Trichoderma and Bacillus could be an alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in maize.     

Effect of fly ash, organic wastes and chemical fertilizers on yield, nutrient uptake, heavy metal content and residual fertility in a rice-mustard cropping sequence under acid lateritic soils

A field experiment was conducted for two years in sandy loam acid lateritic soil to study the direct effect of fly ash, organic wastes and chemical fertilizers on rice (Oryza sativa) and their residual effect on mustard (Brassica napus var glauca) grown in sequence. Rice yields were higher when fly ash, organic wastes and chemical fertilizers were used in an integrated manner as compared to sole application of chemical fertilizers. Yields of mustard were also higher under the residual effect of the former rather than the latter. However, this beneficial residual effect under integrated nutrient sources was inadequate for the mustard crop in the low fertility test soil. Hence, direct application of fertilizers was needed, in addition to residual fertility. The effect of fly ash on mean rice equivalent yield of the rice–mustard cropping sequence was highest (up to 14%) when it was used in combination with organic wastes and chemical fertilizers. While the yield increase was 10% when it was used in combination with only chemical fertilizers. The minimum yield advantage, 3%, occurred when fly ash was applied alone. The equivalent yield of the rice–mustard cropping sequence was equally influenced by either of the organic wastes. Cadmium and Ni content in rice grain and straw were less under the direct effect of fly ash. The residual effect on mustard was similar for Ni content in seed and stover; however, Cd content was increased. Beneficial residual soil chemical properties in terms of pH, organic carbon and available N, P and K were noted for integrated nutrient treatments involved fly ash, organic wastes and chemical fertilizers as compared to continuous use of only chemical fertilizers. Application of fly ash alone was effective in raising soil available P. Thus, integrated use of fly ash, organic wastes and chemical fertilizers was beneficial in improving crop yield, soil pH, organic carbon and available N, P and K in sandy loam acid lateritic soil.     

Correction of severe manganese deficiency in wheat with chemical fertilizers

Summary Manganese, N and P fertilizers were applied to wheat in field experiments on a soil so deficient in Mn that it caused the wheat to die before heading. Yields of wheat were increased linearly by soil banded Mn to 44.8 kg/ha, giving a yield of 3.03 tonnes/ha. Yields were increased to a lesser extent by foliar-applied Mn and least by soil-broadcasted Mn. Soil N and P appeared to be adequate, yet ammonium sulphate at 56 kg N/ha where applied alone caused a yield of 1.69 tonnes/ha and ammonium sulphate nitrate gave a yield of 0.98 tonnes/ha, the increases being primarily due to the release of Mn to the plants. Calcium nitrate and triple superphosphate were much less effective in releasing Mn.     

Comparative effect of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate on the yield and protein content of wheat in three different rotations

Comparative effects of potassium chloride and potassium sulfate at various levels of potassium on the performance of ARZ variety of wheat were studied at Agriculture Research Station Dera Ismail Khan, N.W.F.P., Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in three different rotationsviz, rice-wheat, maize-wheat and fallow-wheat. Potassic fertilizers were applied at the rate of 0, 37, 74, 111 and 148 kg k/ha alongwith the basal dose of 135 kgN plus 44 kg P/ha. Wheat yield data showed that the application of 37 kg K/ha of potassium chloride was found better in case of rice-wheat and fallow-wheat rotation and 37 kg K/ha of potassium sulfate for maize-wheat rotation. On the average of the three rotations, potassium sulfate at the rate of 74 kg K/ha (90 kg K₂O/ha) was found better and economical. Both the sources were almost equally effective but potassium sulfate out-yielded potassium chloride. Protein content of grains was significantly increased due to K application irrespective of the source and potassium sulfate was found with significantly higher protein content than potassium chloride.     

Bahiagrass,Corn, Cotton Rotations,and Pesticides for Managing Nematodes,Diseases, and Insects on Peanut

Florunner peanut was grown after 1 and 2 years of Tifton 9 bahiagrass, corn, cotton, and continuous peanut as whole-plots. Pesticide treatments aldicarb (3.4 kg a.i./ha), flutolanil (1.7 kg a.i./ha), aldicarb + flutolanil, and untreated (control) were sub-plots. Numbers of Meloidogyne arenaria second-stage juveniles in the soil and root-gall indices of peanut at harvest were consistently lower in plots treated with aldicarb and aldicarb + flutolanil than in flutolanil-treated and untreated plots. Percentages of peanut leaflets damaged by thrips and leafhoppers were consistently greater in flutolaniltreated and untreated plots than in plots treated with aldicarb or aldicarb + flutolanil but not affected by cropping sequences. Incidence of southern stem rot was moderate to high for all chemical treatments except those that included flutolanil. Stem rot loci were low in peanut following 2 years of bahiagrass, intermediate following 2 years of corn or cotton, and highest in continuous peanut. Rhizoctonia limb rot was more severe in the peanut monoculture than in peanut following 2 years of bahiagrass, corn, or cotton. Flutolanil alone or combined with aldicarb suppressed limb rot compared with aldicarb-treated and untreated plots. Peanut pod yields were 4,186 kg/ha from aldicarb + flutolanil-treated plots, 3,627 kg/ha from aldicarb-treated plots, 3,426 kg/ha from flutolanil-treated plots, and 3,056 kg/ha from untreated plots. Yields of peanut following 2 years of bahiagrass, corn, and cotton were 29% to 33% higher than yield of monocultured peanut.     

"双季稻-鸭"共生生态系统C循环

"稻鸭共生"是对我国传统农业稻田养鸭的继承与发展。在双季稻主产区湖南布置了稻田养鸭田间对比试验,以常规稻作为对照,采用投入产出法,分析"稻鸭共生"生态系统C的输入输出及循环情况。结果表明:"早稻-鸭"生态系统碳输出中,水稻籽粒C占42.21%;水稻秸秆C占38.42%;气态C(CH4和CO2)占18.50%;鸭产品C仅占0.87%。"晚稻-鸭"生态系统碳输出中,水稻籽粒C占53.80%;水稻秸秆C占35.12%;气态C占8.67%;鸭产品C仅占1.07%。两季稻作里,"稻鸭共生"土壤截存C量是2103.2 kg/hm2,水稻植株地上部分固定的C量是15109.96 kg/hm2,水稻根固定的C量是1261.34 kg/hm2,归还给土壤的鸭粪C量是229.87 kg/hm2。鸭子系统C输入主要来自系统外投入的饲料C,早稻季鸭所食的杂草C和害虫C分别为60.53 kg/hm2和2.75 kg/hm2,晚稻季鸭所食的杂草C和害虫C分别为3.64 kg/hm2和6.73 kg/hm2。对"双季稻-鸭"共生生态系统的碳收支与平衡的分析表明,"稻鸭共生"生态系统是碳汇,且固碳潜力大于常规稻作。     

运用双重组合设计建立黑龙江省玉米降水产量模型

本文运用旋转设计进一步发展的双重组合试验设计,建立黑龙江省关于降水、有机质、氮、磷、钾肥及有机肥的玉米产量模型,探讨了双重组合试验设计在建模时用可控因素去挂接不可控因素的应用,对模型进行了检验和频数分析,提出玉米产量大子3000公斤的高产在艺措施．     

长期施肥对双季稻种植下土壤有机碳库和固碳量的影响

研究了长期施用化肥和猪粪(PM)、稻草(RS)对双季稻集约化种植下30年期间(1981-2010年)土壤有机碳(SOC)及其组分的影响.结果表明：化肥平衡施用处理(NPK)的SOC、颗粒有机C(POC)和KMnO₄氧化C(KMnO₄C)组分高于化肥非平衡施用处理(NP和NK);猪粪、稻草与化肥(NK+PM、NP+RS和NPK+RS)长期配合施用处理的SOC、POC和KMnO₄ C组分显著增加.连续种植30年60季水稻后,猪粪与NK配施处理0～45 cm土层的SOC(84.71 t C·hm^-2)、POC(8.94 t C·hm^-2)和KMnO₄ C(21.09 t C·hm^-2)数量最高,其次是NPK+RS处理;NK+PM处理(485 kg C·hm^-2·a^-1)的固C量最高,其次是NPK+RS处理(375 kg C·hm^-2·a^-1).化肥与猪粪、稻草配施处理SOC的固C效率(CSE)明显高于单施化肥处理;施肥处理POC的固C效率(0.4%～1.2%)低于KMnO₄C(3.0%～8.3%).采用腐殖化常数值(h)和Jenkinson方程的衰减常数(k)可以预测不同处理2010年的SOC储量,通过Jenkinson方程可以计算维持1981年的SOC储量水平所需要的C投入量(A_E).双季稻种植下,长期连续施用NK+PM、NP+RS和NPK+RS处理的SOC含量增加是由于年C输入量高于A_E所致.在南方亚热带双季稻种植区,化肥与猪粪、稻草长期配施将促进水稻土有机碳的固定.     

Effect of different fertilizers on the germination and growth of velvetleaf (Abutilon theohrasti Medic.)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) is one of the most important and invasive weed species in Hungary and also in Europe. Its dangerousness derives from its germination biology characteristics and its strong competitive and allelopathic ability. In wide line space crops such as corn, sunflower and soybean it may reduce the yield significantly, According to some authors, this yield reducing ability is lower with bigger nutrient supplies. Our experiment was carried in Keszthely, Hungary (46 degrees 45'35.53"; 17 degrees 14'26.9") at the Institute of Plant Protection, Georgikon Faculty, University of Pannonia in 2009 and 2010. We studied the separate and combined effect of different fertilizers on the germination and growth of velvetleaf in greenhouse pot experiments. The applied fertilizers were Linzer NAC (27% N) in doses of 200 kg N ha(-1) (2,325 g Linzer NAC/pot), Patent Káli (30% K2O) in 100 kg K2O ha(-1) (1,05g Patent Káli/pot) and DC Szuperfoszfát (20.5% P2O5) in 100 kg P2O5 ha(-1) (1,05g DC Szuperfoszfát/pot). Our study was carried out in 1.5-litre pots with Ramman brown-forest soil in four replications, with 25 seeds of velvetleaf per pots. Five velvetleaf plants were removed four and six weeks after planting from the pots and the lenght, the fresh- and the air dried weight and the leaf area of the plants was measured. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. We observed that nitrogen which was applied alone or with other nutrients can reduce the germination and growth of Abutilon with 200kg N ha(-1) doses. Potassium and phosphorus stimulate germination and growth. The biggest stimulating effect was produced by potassium when it was applied alone.     

Long-term integrated soil fertility management in South-western Nigeria: Crop performance and impact on the soil fertility status

Crop response, tree biomass production and changes in soil fertility characteristics were monitored in a long-term (1986–2002) alley-cropping trial in Ibadan, Nigeria. The systems included two alley cropping systems with Leucaena leucocephala and Senna siamea on the one hand and a control (no-trees) system on the other hand, all cropped annually with a maize–cowpea rotation. All systems had a plus and minus fertilizer treatment. Over the years, the annual biomass return through tree prunings declined steadily, but more drastically for Leucaena than for Senna. In 2002, the nitrogen contribution from Leucaena residues stabilized at about 200 kg N/ha/year, while the corresponding value for Senna was about 160 kg N/ha/year. On average, the four Leucaena prunings were more equal in biomass as well as in amounts of N, P and cations, while the first Sennapruning was always contributing up to 60% of the annual biomass or nutrient return. Maize crop yields declined steadily in all treatments, but the least so in the Senna + fertilizer treatment where in 2002 still 2.2 tonnes/ha of maize were obtained. Nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency was usually higher in the Senna treatment compared to the control or the Leucaena treatment. Added benefits due to the combined use of fertilizer N and organic matter additions were observed only for the Sennatreatment and only in the last 6 years. At all other times, they remained absent or were even negative in the Leucaenatreatments for the first 3 years. Most chemical soil fertility parameters decreased in all the treatments, but less so in the alley cropping systems. The presence of trees had a positive effect on remaining carbon stocks, while they were reduced compared to the 1986 data. Trees had a positive effect on the maintenance of exchangeable cations in the top soil. Exchangeable Ca, Mg and K – and hence ECEC – were only slightly reduced after 16 years of cropping in the tree-based systems, and even increased in the Senna treatments. In the control treatments, values for all these parameters reduced to 50% or less of the original values after 16 years. All the above points to the Senna-based alley system with fertilizers as the more resilient one. This is reflected in all soil fertility parameters, in added benefits due to the combined use of fertilizer nitrogen and organic residue application and in a more stable maize yield over the years, averaging 2.8 tonnes/ha with maximal deviations from the average not exceeding 21%.     

施肥对蔬菜产量的影响——以寿光市设施蔬菜为例

以寿光市具有代表性的51个设施大棚为研究对象,通过问卷调查的方法分析了化肥施用对蔬菜产量的影响、有机肥施用与增产的关系、施肥量的影响因素和演变规律等.结果表明: 寿光市设施大棚周年投入肥料养分平均为N 3338 kg·hm^-2、P₂O₅ 1710 kg·hm^-2、K₂O 3446 kg·hm^-2,是当地小麦 玉米轮作种植模式的6~14倍,其中,化肥投入的氮、磷、钾量分别约占总量的35%、49%和42%.化肥投入的氮、磷、钾量对蔬菜产量没有显著影响,有机肥投入对蔬菜表现出明显的增产效果.随大棚棚龄的增加,化肥氮、磷、钾的投入量没有显著的变化,有机肥投入量明显降低.蔬菜种植种类、模式和大棚棚龄的差异是导致大棚养分投入量差异大的原因之一.近十几年来,寿光市设施大棚蔬菜有机肥养分投入量明显增加,化肥氮和磷的投入量呈现下降趋势,化肥钾的投入量增加显著,氮、磷、钾养分投入比例日趋合理.     

Nitrogen nutrition of ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Summary Two fertilizer experiments were conducted in the field at Beerwah, South-East Queensland. In the first experiment leaf nitrogen concentrations, and the yield of ginger shoots and rhizomes at early and late harvests increased both with the total amount of nitrogen applied up to the highest level studied (336 kg N/ha as ammonium nitrate) and with the number of applications making up the total. At all levels of nitrogen application the apparent recovery of fertilizer nitrogen increased in the order 1 application <2 applications <4 applications. At 33.6 kg N/ha there appeared to be no advantage in dividing the total N applied into more than 4 applications but the data suggested higher recoveries of nitrogen with 8 applications at 112 kg N/ha and 336 kg N/ha. In the second experiment, ammonium nitrate, urea, and ammonium sulphate were found to be equally effective as nitrogen fertilizers for ginger when applied at equal rates of nitrogen per hectare. However, in terms of cost effectiveness they rated in the order urea > ammonium nitrate > ammonium sulphate.All three nitrogen sources acidified the soil, the decrease in soil pH during the growing season increasing with increasing rate of application. In Experiment 1 split applications, which increased the recovery of applied nitrogen in the crop, also increased the extent of acidification. In Experiment 2 ammonium sulphate tended to be more strongly acidifying than the other fertilizers but the difference was statistically significant only at the highest rate of nitrogen application. Because of the strong effects of nitrogen supply on both yield and soil pH, the highest yields were associated with end-of-season pH values below 5.0.     

Growth, nitrogen fixation, yield and kernel quality of peanut in response to lime, organic and inorganic fertilizer levels

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of different levels of chemical fertilizers alone and in combination with farmyard manure and lime on growth, nitrogen fixation, yield and kernel quality of peanut in an acid lateritic soil. Five fertilization levels viz., no chemical fertilizer (CF) (F0), CF @ 20:40:30 (F1), CF @ 40:80:60 (F2) kg ha(-1) NPK, F1 +2.5 t ha(-1) FYM (F3) and F2 +5 t ha(-1) FYM (F4) with and without liming (2 t ha(-1)) were tested. Results revealed that integrated application of FYM+CF at F3 level significantly (P0.05) improved the nitrogen content of nodules (12.4%), kernel yield (19.3%), mineral composition, oil content (4.8%), protein content (28.2%) and hydration coefficient (11.6%) of kernels over sole CF at F1 level. Maximum level of CF or FYM+CF though improved the population of symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in the peanut rhizosphere, however, could not improve nitrogen fixation, yield and kernel quality.     

鄱阳湖流域长期施肥下双季稻田的土壤基础地力

为探讨鄱阳湖流域不同施肥措施的土壤基础地力变化规律,基于长期施肥定位试验(始于1981年),采集定位30年时的不施肥(CK)、施用氮磷钾肥(NPK)和氮磷钾肥与有机肥配施(NPKM)土壤,于2012—2014年进行连续3年的施肥和不施肥试验,分析水稻产量和土壤基础地力贡献率的差异及关键影响因子.结果表明:不论施肥与否,3年的水稻产量均表现出NPKM处理显著高于NPK和CK处理,尤其是在不施肥条件下,NPKM处理的年产量分别比CK和NPK处理增加37.7%～143.9%和20.8%～66.7%.3年间,CK、NPK和NPKM处理的土壤基础地力贡献率分别为41.8%～53.1%、45.2%～62.6%和59.1%～88.1%,且NPKM处理的土壤基础地力贡献率均显著高于NPK和CK处理.进一步分析发现,土壤有机质和有机碳平衡量与土壤基础地力贡献率呈显著正相关.总之,在鄱阳湖流域的双季稻田,长期有机无机肥配施有利于该地区土壤基础地力的提升,且土壤有机质和有机碳平衡是土壤基础地力变化的关键因子.     

Effect of mound size and fertilizer on white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in Southern Nigeria

Summary Field trials were conducted in the forest zone of southern Nigeria on three soil series, gravelly loamy sand Ibadan soil (Oxic paleustalf), gravelly sandy loam Egbeda soil (Oxic paleustalf) and sandy loam Alagba soil (Oxic paleustalf). The trials were carried out to study the effects of planting on flatversus various mound sizes and NPK fertilizer on performance of white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) cultivar Laoko.Mound size appeared to have a more pronounced effect on tuber yield than fertilizer even on land which was in the second and third year of cropping after bush fallow. The average tuber yield for the three locations without fertilizers was 7.83 tons/ha on the flat compared with 9.44 tons/ha on large mound (about 30 cm height). With fertilizer application, tuber yields were 7.43 tons/ha on the flat and 11.30 tons/ha on large mound respectively. Total yield reduction on flat may in part be related to physical soil impedence. Planting on large mounds also resulted in longer tubers and shorter harvesting time.     

长期不同施肥下太湖地区黄泥土蚯蚓的多样性、蛋白质含量与氨基酸组成的变化

水稻土在不同施肥管理下的土壤质量及其生态系统功能的变化是当前土壤学和农业生态学的关注领域。对太湖地区一个15a的长期不同施肥处理下稻田进行了蚯蚓群落的调查采样,并测定了蚯蚓蛋白质含量和氨基酸组成。供试水稻土中共检出7种蚯蚓。长期不同施肥措施影响了蚯蚓的群落结构,单施化肥下农田蚯蚓的种类和数量明显减少,多样性指数和丰富度明显降低,且蚯蚓总氨基酸的含量和大部分种类氨基酸含量降低,同时蚯蚓中分子量小于25kd的蛋白质含量降低,而分子量33kd附近的蛋白质含量明显增加;相反,长期化肥配合秸杆还田和配施猪粪趋向于提高蚯蚓蛋白质含量或氨基酸含量。看来．农田中蚯蚓不但在种群变化上,而且在体内生命活性物质组成上均响应稻田不同施肥措施下的土壤环境变化。     

水旱轮作系统作物养分管理策略

水旱轮作系统是我国主要的作物生产系统之一,主要分布在长江流域.作物和土壤季节间的干湿交替变化是这一系统的显著特征,这也引起了土壤物理、化学和生物学特性在不同作物季节间的交替变化,构成独特的农田生态系统.该系统面临的主要问题包括：生产力下降或徘徊不前,灌溉水日益短缺,养分管理不合理,资源利用效率低和环境污染等.本文在综述水旱轮作系统特征和存在问题的基础上,进一步提出通过养分资源综合管理策略解决该系统养分投入、作物生产和环境风险之间的矛盾.该策略的核心内容是：从整个轮作系统角度出发调控养分,综合应用各种养分资源（化肥、有机肥及环境养分）,使养分供应匹配作物需求,并根据不同养分资源特点采取相应的管理技术,使养分管理与节水、高产栽培等农作技术相结合.     

The response ofPinus caribaea mor. var. Hondurensis seedlings to nitrogen,phosphorous and potassium fertilizers

Summary A soil pot culture experiment was conducted to study the response ofPinus caribaea var. hondurensis seedlings to the N, P, K fertilizers in a 3³ factorial combination of nutrients in four replicates. For this purpose, seedlings were grown in plastic pots in soils collected from Bahau pine experimental area. These soils belong to Durian series and are generally poor in nutrients.The seedlings were supplied with 112 kg/ha, 336 kg/ha and 560 kg/ha (100 lb/ac, 300 lb/ac and 500 lb/ac) of N, P, K in solution form in all possible combinations. Periodic growth measurements were taken and dry matter production was estimated at the conclusion of the experiment.The results indicate that phosphorous is the most important nutrient for the height growth of seedlings. The absolute height increment under the best treatment combination (N₁P₃K₁) was about threefolds (25.7cm) compared to 8.8 cm in the control. It was also found that higher levels of N and K, though not beneficial to height growth, resulted in better radial growth and more dry matter production compared to control plants. However, highest levels of N and K in the present experiment produced inhibitory influence as regards height growth even in the presence of low level of phosphorous.The study indicates that application of phosphorous at least at the rate of 560 kg/ha per plant is necessary on this type of soil to boost the initial height growth ofPinus caribaea var. hondurensis. Nitrogen at the rate of 336 kg/ha and potassium at the rate of 112 kg/ha will induce better radial growth.