Hybrid poplar and forest soil response to municipal and industrial by-products: a greenhouse study.
Little research has been conducted in the Lake States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan) to evaluate the effects of municipal and industrial by-product applications on the early growth of short rotation woody crops such as hybrid poplar. Anticipated shortages of harvestable-age aspen in the next decade can be alleviated and rural development can be enhanced through the application of by-products to forest soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizer, boiler ash, biosolids, and the co-application of ash and biosolids application on tree growth and soil properties by measuring hybrid poplar clone NM-6 (Populus nigra L. x P. maximowiczii A. Henry) yield, nutrient uptake, and select post-harvest soil properties after 15 wk of greenhouse growth. Treatments included a control of no amendment; agricultural lime; inorganic N, P, and K; three types of boiler ash; biosolids application rates equivalent to 70, 140, 210, and 280 kg available N ha(-1); and boiler ash co-applied with biosolids. All of the by-products treatments showed biomass production that was equal to or greater than inorganic fertilizer and lime treatments. A trend of increased biomass with increasing rates of biosolids was observed. Soil P concentration increased with increasing rates of biosolids application. None of the by-products treatments resulted in plant tissue metal concentrations greater than metal concentrations of plant tissue amended with inorganic amendments. Biosolids, boiler ash, and the co-application of biosolids and boiler ash together on forest soils were as beneficial to plant growth as inorganic fertilizers.
Cavaleri
Molly A
MA
Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Gilmore
Daniel W
DW
Mozaffari
Morteza
M
Rosen
Carl J
CJ
Halbach
Thomas R
TR
D018533:Biomass; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005308:Fertilizers; D017745:Incineration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D032107:Populus / Q000254:growth & development*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014197:Trees
D005308:Fertilizers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants