Effects of three sewage sludges on slash pine seedlings grown in three acid sandy soils

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla., Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6101751

Fiskell, J G.A.; Pritchett, W L; Maftoun, M

Vast areas of pine forest are grown on acid sandy soils of low native fertility, located near urban areas in the southeastern States. Such soils may offer suitable land disposal for sewage sludge. The present study evaluated effects of three municipal sewage sludges on the growth and nutrient uptake by slash pine seedlings (Pinus elliottii var. elliotti Engelm) grown for 6 months in pot cultures consisting of one Quartzipsamment and two Haplaquod soils amended with four rates of each sludge. Plant tissue was sectioned as new tops, old tops, and roots. Plant dry weight responded linearly to increase in sludge rate. Root to shoot ratios decreased slightly with sludge rate. Total weight response to sludge amendments was greater for the two soils of high organic matter content than for a soil with low organic matter content. Seedling N uptake also increased with sludge rate. Root N concentration changed more with sludge rate than did new tops. Absolute N uptake ranged from 8 to 88 percent of N applied in the sludge. These net N recoveries decreased with sludge rate. Uptake of P by the seedlings was proportional to rate of sludge applied. Cadmium uptake was increased linearly with sludge rates from 1.26 to 10 g/kg soil. The sludge with the highest Cd content had the lowest net Cd recovery at all sludge rates. Ratio of N:Cd uptake ranged from 8690 to 896, which is indicative of the degree of sludge mineralization and of the amount of Cd released into a form available to the seedling. 10 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 6101751
• Journal Information: Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Fla., Proc.; (United States), Vol. 43
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
09 BIOMASS FUELS
PINES
PLANT GROWTH
SEWAGE SLUDGE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
FEDERAL REGION IV
LAND USE
NITROGEN
NUTRIENTS
SEEDLINGS
SOILS
UPTAKE
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
CONIFERS
ELEMENTS
GROWTH
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
TREES
USA
WASTES
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140504 - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)