Slash Pine Growth and Yield Responses to Sludge Applications

Publisher： Society of American Foresters

ISSN： 0148-4419

Source： Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, Vol.10, Iss.3, 1986-08, pp. : 142-145

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Abstract

Sewage sludge was applied to forestland to test the effect of waste utilization on forest growth and yield improvement. Growth and yield improvement were associated with increased acidity and extractable phosphorus (P) in the surface sail. Heavy metal mobility was minimal. Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) volume growth and yield improvement were significant at 0.035 ft³/yr and 8.0 ft³/ac/yr, respectively, for each 10 tons/ac of dry weight sludge. Sludge application after tree establishment improved growth by 0.054 ft³/yr and yield by 28.9 ft³/ac/yr. This was a two- to three-fold increase over sludge treatment before tree establishment. Differences were attributed to increased weed competition, disease, and seedling mortality in the pines planted after sludge treatment. Lower sludge rates frequently applied to established stand would be the best procedure for forest growth and yield improvement with a minimum of site problems. South. J. Appl. For. 10:142-45, Aug. 1986.