Evaluation of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth and Quality of Three Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Species

1997 Annual Report for FS97-048

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 1997: $650.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1999
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $200.00
Region: Southern
State: North Carolina
Principal Investigator:

Evaluation of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Growth and Quality of Three Eastern North Carolina Christmas Tree Species

Summary

The production of Christmas trees in eastern North Carolina depends on inputs of resources such as fertilizer, pesticides and, in some cases, irrigation water. Frequently, Christmas tree production is only marginally profitable because the costs of these inputs are prohibitively high.

These high costs seriously affect the sustainability of the standard of living of people dependent on Christmas tree income. Most Christmas tree growers in eastern North Carolina are not full-time producers, but use the income to supplement jobs or social security and retirement income. The producer plans to reduce his dependence on off-farm inputs to his Christmas tree operation through the use of mycorrhizal inoculation.

The term mycorrhizae describes a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plants, including trees. The fungus, commonly referred to as mycorrhizae, has been found to infect the roots of most pine tree species in the field. It aids in the uptake of water and nutrients, particularly phosphorus. In turn, the fungus receives food from the plant which uses the sun to make sugars—something the fungus can not do. The producer plans to inoculate his seedlings with mycorrhizae (mycorrhizal inoculation). He hopes to give them a head start on their eventual infection in the field and thereby lessen the need for fertilizers and other soil amendments as they are getting established.

December 1998.