Economic returns from fertilisation of Pinus radiata stands

Summary

The internal rate of return of fertiliser treatment of Pinus radiata at establishment and at thinning in the Belanglo State Forest, Southern Tableland region of New South Wales, was examined. The data used were those developed in a model which simulated growth of a plantation with and without fertilisers both at the time of establishment and in combination with thinning at various times throughout a 40-year rotation of Pinus radiata.

The economic returns, unadjusted for the land saving effect, from one or two applications of fertiliser are higher than those from a maximal fertiliser regime involving five applications through the rotation. Where capital is scarce, late-age fertilisation of Pinus radiata is an option with which log supply from established plantations may be increased in the short term and the productivity of capital invested in the forest increased. However, several applications of fertiliser over the rotation may be preferable if a long-term goal of maximising production is to be achieved.