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Copy link Agroblen® Improves Establishment of Norway Spruce in Sweden
taller trees
Southern Sweden
taller trees
Key Conclusions
- Agroblen® 9‑20‑8+3MgO+0.1B significantly improved early establishment of Norway spruce (Picea abies) across all trials.
- A single application at planting increased height, leading shoot length, and root collar diameter – key traits for reducing pine weevil damage.
- Benefits persisted long‑term: growth advantages were still visible 8 years after planting.
- The recommended dose 20 g/plant delivered the best balance of performance, safety, and cost.
- Agroblen® outperformed the main competitor product in Sweden in containerized trials.
Objective
Evaluate the impact of Agroblen® 9‑20‑8+3MgO+0.1B (8–9M) on the establishment and early growth of Norway spruce seedlings under Swedish forestry conditions.
Trial Details
Trial station
Southern Sweden
Crop
Spruce
Product
Agroblen®
Assessments
Plant height, leading shoot length, root collar diameter, survival rate
Treatments
Agroblen® was tested on spruce in Sweden in three different trials in 2015 – 2023. Each trial was established using a randomized block design with 3–5 repetitions and 10–20 seedlings per treatment, depending on the site. Agroblen® 9‑20‑8+3MgO+0.1B (8–9M) was applied once at planting, with the granules placed directly into the planting hole before inserting the seedling, a method chosen to ensure safe, localized nutrient release in the root zone. Treatments included an unfertilized control (standard practice in Swedish forestry), Agroblen® at 20 g/plant (recommended dose), Agroblen® at 30 g/plant on selected sites, and a competitor product in the 2021–2022 containerized trial. All sites were characterized by low‑fertility, acidic soils typical of southern Sweden, providing a robust test of early establishment performance.
Treatments
Agroblen® was tested on spruce in Sweden in three different trials in 2015 – 2023. Each trial was established using a randomized block design with 3–5 repetitions and 10–20 seedlings per treatment, depending on the site. Agroblen® 9‑20‑8+3MgO+0.1B (8–9M) was applied once at planting, with the granules placed directly into the planting hole before inserting the seedling, a method chosen to ensure safe, localized nutrient release in the root zone. Treatments included an unfertilized control (standard practice in Swedish forestry), Agroblen® at 20 g/plant (recommended dose), Agroblen® at 30 g/plant on selected sites, and a competitor product in the 2021–2022 containerized trial. All sites were characterized by low‑fertility, acidic soils typical of southern Sweden, providing a robust test of early establishment performance.
Results
Early establishment (average of 3 trials, 6 months after planting)
- +17% higher plants
- +70% longer leading shoot
- +22% larger root collar diameter
Root collar diameter is a critical indicator of resistance to pine weevil damage.
Control with no fertilizer
Agroblen 30g/plant
Performance after 2–3 years
Across all trials, Agroblen® consistently improved:
- Height growth
- Leading shoot length
- Root collar diameter
- Overall vigor and uniformity
Both bare root and containerized seedlings responded strongly.
Long‑term effect (2015–2023 trial)
Eight years after a single application:
- Trees were up to 21% taller
- Leading shoots were up to 13% longer
This demonstrates the long‑lasting value of early controlled‑release nutrition.
Comparison with competitor product (2021–2022 containerized trial)
Agroblen® vs. Competitor AGR:
- +25% taller plants (after 2 years)
- +66% longer leading shoot (after 1 year)
- Larger root collar diameter
Agroblen® showed superior performance across all parameters.
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