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Home → Publications → 1982 Southern Nursery Conferences → Sewage Sludge as an Organic Soil Amendment for Growth of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

Sewage Sludge as an Organic Soil Amendment for Growth of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

Different amounts of sewage sludge from Norman, Oklahoma and Athens, Georgia, and inorganic fertilizer were compared as soil amendments for growing loblolly pine seedlings in pots. Norman sludge contained higher concentrations of major plant nutrients than Athens sludge, but also contained higher concentrations of the undesirable elements sodium and cadmium. Seedlings grew as well in Athens sludge at 15 tons /acre as in 500 lbs/acre of 10- 10-10 fertilizer. Significantly larger seedlings, however, were produced when the rate of Athens sludge application was 30 tons/acre rather than 15 tons/acre. Seedlings grew significantly larger and heavier with 15 tons /acre of Norman sludge than with 30 tons/acre of Athens sludge. Seedlings also grew larger in 15 tons/acre than they did in 30 tons/acre of Norman sludge. These data indicate that Norman sludge is an excellent soil amendment at a rate of application of about 15 tons/acre. Above this r ate however, some other factor, or factors interfere with pine seedling growth.


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Author(s): Charles R. Berry

Publication: 1982 Southern Nursery Conferences

Event: Southern Nursery Conferences - Western Session
1982 - Oklahoma City, OK

Section: Soils, Organic Matter, and Mycorrhizae