Key message In the context of increasing droughts related to climate change, our results showed that heavy thinning and/or very low initial planting density can increase CO₂ assimilation rate in needles, and may be used as a short-term management strategy for loblolly pine plantation across sites prone to drought.
Context The dry summer of 2013 provided us an opportunity to understand the CO₂ assimilation rate and stomatal conductance after density manipulation treatments using the dual isotope (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) signatures in needles of planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees in the southeastern USA.
Aims To our knowledge, this is the first study using the dual isotope approach to examine the physiological response of loblolly pine trees, one of the most widely planted tree species in the world, to stand density manipulation treatments (i.e., thinning intensity and planting density).
Methods In 2001–2003, trees were planted with five different planting densities, 494, 1111, 1729, 2346, and 2964 trees ha⁻¹ at three sites. In 2009–2011, two thinning treatments (none and moderate thinning) were applied in the 1111 trees ha⁻¹ plots, whereas three treatments (none, light and heavy thinning) were applied in the 1729 trees ha⁻¹ plots. Response variables (specific leaf area (SLA), foliar N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) were measured in February 2014.
Results SLA was lower, while δ¹⁸O was higher in the 494 trees ha⁻¹ plots than the 2964 trees ha⁻¹ plots without thinning. In plots planted to 1729 trees ha⁻¹ SLA was lower, while δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O were higher following heavy thinning than in the unthinned control. These responses plus increased crown length, DBH, and height following heavy thinning may reflect an increased tree-level CO₂ assimilation rate.
Conclusion Our results showed that heavy thinning and/or very low initial planting density can be used as a short-term management strategy for loblolly pine plantation across sites prone to drought.