Growth of loblolly pine seedlings in strip-mined Kaolin spoil as influenced by sewage sludge

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1977.00472425000600040009x· OSTI ID:5110357

Berry, C R; Marx, D H

Loblolly pine seedlings (Pinus taeda L.) were transplanted and grown outdoors for 6 months in microplots containing strip-mined kaolin spoil amended with different quantities of dry sewage sludge. Seedlings on kaolin spoil amended with sludge equivalent to 34 metric tons/ha had greater height, stem diameter, and fresh weight (49, 79, and 126 percent increases, respectively) than seedlings on non-amended spoil. The percent of short-roots with ectomycorrhizae was higher on seedlings grown in spoil with 34 and 69 metric tons/ha sludge than in spoil with 0, 138, or 275 metric tons/ha sludge. At the end of the experiment, chemical analysis revealed significantly greater quantities of residual organic matter and essential elements for plant growth in kaolin spoil amended with sludge than in nonamended spoil. Sewage sludge is apparently an excellent organic amendment for kaolin spoil; even small amounts significantly stimulate growth and mycorrhizal development of loblolly pine seedlings.

• OSTI ID: 5110357
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

553000 -- Agriculture & Food Technology
560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOMASS
CLAYS
CONIFERS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GROWTH
KAOLIN
LAND RECLAMATION
MINERALS
MINING
PINES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
ROOTS
SEEDLINGS
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
TREES
WASTES