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Growth of Loblolly Pine Seedlings in Strip-Mined Kaolin Spoil as Influenced by Sewage Sludge¹

ABSTRACT

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% increases, respectively) than seedlings on nonamended 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.

Key Words: Pinus taeda • organic amendment • reclamation • ectomycorrhizae

¹ Contribution from the USDA For. Serv., Southeast. For. Exp. Stn., Inst. for Mycorrhizal Res. and Develop., Athens, GA 30602.

² Principal Plant Pathologist and Chief Plant Pathologist, respectively.

Received for publication August 31, 1976.