Recycled alkaline paper waste influenced growth and structure of Pinus taeda L. forest

• Published in: New forests Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 249 - 270
• Main Authors: Rabel, Diego de Oliveira, Maeda, Shizuo, Araujo, Eloá Moura, Gomes, João Bosco, Bognolla, Itamar Antônio, Prior, Stephen A., Magri, Ederlan, Frigo, Cleiton, Brasileiro, Bruno Portela, dos Santos, Mariana Custodio, Pedreira, Guilherme Quaresma, Motta, Antônio Carlos Vargas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.03.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accumulation; Acidic soils; Acidity; Alkaline wastes; Aluminum; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Calcium; Calcium ions; Chemical composition; Chemical properties; Coniferous forests; Evaluation; Forest floor; Forestry; Forests; Hydroxyapatite; Life Sciences; Litter; Paper industry wastes; Pine; Pine needles; Pine trees; Pinus taeda; Plant growth; Recycled materials; Roots; Soil chemistry; Soil layers; Soil pH; Soil properties; Soils; Mean annual increment; Needles; Calcium; Litter; Wood
• ISSN: 0169-4286; 1573-5095
• DOI: 10.1007/s11056-020-09791-5

Alkaline residues of recycled paper production (ARRP) can be an alternative for correcting soil acidity and adding bases to Pinus taeda L. systems. Our aim was to investigate the effect of increasing doses of ARRP on tree, forest floor (litter and root), and soil composition in a 3-year-old Brazilian pine forest plantation. In 2007, ARRP treatments of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 T ha −1 were imposed. Tree growth and needle elemental composition were evaluated in 2008 and 2018; elemental composition of the trunk was evaluated in 2018. In 2017, accumulation and composition of litter layers were assessed: new litter, old litter, first and second sublayers of fragmented litter (Fr and Fm), and the humified layer (H); roots present in F and H layers were quantified (amount and elemental composition). In addition, soil chemical properties at different depths were evaluated in 2008, 2012, and 2017. The application of ARRP improved growth by ~ 16% up to 20 T ha −1 after 10 years. Also, ARRP increased Ca concentration in needles, trunks, roots, and all litter fractions since Ca was a major component of ARRP. There was no change in total litter accumulation with ARRP application, but an increase in the humidified fraction was observed. Root growth was enhanced by ARRP, leading to great changes in root composition in Fr and H fractions. Changes in soil pH, Ca 2+ , and Al 3+ were observed in the 0–10 cm soil layer. Findings suggest that application of ARRP to established pine forests has the potential for improving productivity.