Use of Municipal Sewage Sludge for Improvement of Forest Sites in the Southeast
In eight field experiments dried municipal sewage sludge was applied to forest sites before planting of seedlings. In all cases, tree growth was faster on sludge-amended plots than on plots that received fertilizer and lime or no amendment. In all studies, concentrations of total nitrogen in the soil were higher on sludge plots than on control or fertilizer plots, even on good forest sites. In seven of the eight studies, concentrations of phosphorus also were higher on sludge plots than on control or fertilizer plots. Nitrogen and phosphorus tended to be higher in foliage from trees growing on sludge plots. Deep subsoiling was beneficial regardless of soil amendment. Where weeds were plentiful at the outset, they became serious competitors on plots receiving sludge.
- Research Organization:
- United States Department of Agriculture, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Savannah River Site (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI09-76SR00056
- OSTI ID:
- 781312
- Report Number(s):
- 87-2-P; TRN: US200215%%352
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Sep 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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