Abstract

This study presents the effects of pasture fertilization on static bending of Pinus radiata. Sampled trees came from two silvopastoril trials of 16 years of age, presenting same amount and frequency of thinning and pruning interventions. One trial was fertilized; the other received no fertilization to the prairie. The first trail was fertilized at ages of 3, 6 and 11 years. On each stand three different strata were evaluated: dominant, intermediate, and suppressed trees, selecting 3 individuals randomly on each class. One stern log from the base to the DBH was cut from each tree. Results show that fertilization reduces the module of elasticity, the module of rupture and the stress proportional limit of Pinus radiata wood in the next three years after fertilization. The reductions on these parameters varied between 8 and 16%. Suppressed trees were less affected by fertilization, while intermediate and dominant trees presented a clear reduction in bending resistance, module of rupture, module of elasticity, and stress proportional limit. © 2007 Universldad del Bí-Bío.