One-year response of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to granular fertilizer applications on a reclaimed surface mine in eastern Kentucky

Th e establishment of intensively managed woody energy cropson reclaimed surface minelands provides an opportunity to diversify domestic biomass sources, while increasing the productivity and economic value of underutilized land. Our objective is to test the eff ect of fertilization on the growth and biomass accumulation of American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalisL.) and black locust( Robiniapseudoacacia L.) planted on a reclaimed surface mine. In 2008, replicated plantings of sycamore and black locustwere established on Big Elk Mine in eastern Kentucky. Th e treatments tested include a onetime granular fertilizer application of 37 kg N, 30 kg P, and 16 kg K ha -1 and an unfertilized control. Following one growing season, American sycamore exhibited signifi cantly (p < 0.05) greater stem biomass in the fertilizer treatment (48.98 g) than in the control (23.52 g). Stem biomass of black locustwas also greater (p < 0.01) in the fertilizer treatment (32.36 g) than in the control (13.20 g). Mean diameter and height growth of black locustwas signifi cantly (p < 0.05) greater in fertilizer treatments (6.52 mm, 20.37 cm, respectively) compared to the control (2.27 mm; 9.38 cm). American sycamore also displayed signifi cant (p < 0.05) diff erences in diameter and height growth between fertilizer (7.86 mm; 30.63 cm) and control (4.42 mm; 15.97 cm) treatments. Mean black locustsurvival was 79.25 percent in control treatments and 88.07 percent in fertilizer treatments. American sycamore survival did not diff er between control (96.43 percent) and fertilizer (93.81 percent) treatments. Our fi ndings indicate that fertilizer applications to 1-year-old seedlings on reclaimedmines in Appalachiaincrease height, diameter, and biomass accumulation.