LAUSR

The global importance of short rotation, intensively managed planted forests has increased over recent years due to the growing need for timber and other goods. In this kind of system, nutrient management is a key issue and fertilisation plays a double role: a) improving productivity and b) compensating nutrient output in order to attain sustainability and maintain productivity for further rotations. The need to replace nutrients, taken up by the growing forest or removed during timber extraction, has long been recognised (Rennie 1955). However, Fölster & Khanna (1997) stated that conventional forest management has shown a general lack of concern with regard to this problem. Several authors have recommended the application of fertiliser to sustain productivity in short-cycle plantations (FSC 2004, Rennie 1955, Gonçalves et al. 1997, Worrel & Hampson 1997). This is especially important in tropical forests where nutrient dynamics and tree growth take place more rapidly than temperate zones. Teak (Tectona grandis) is an important species worldwide in the quality tropical N-P-K FERTILISATION OF TEAK (TECTONA GRANDIS) PLANTATIONS: A CASE STUDY IN COSTA RICA