Nitrogen dynamics and red pine growth following application of pelletized biosolids in Massachusetts, USA

• Published in: Canadian journal of forest research Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 1477 - 1487
• Main Authors: Kelty, M.J, Menalled, F.D, Carlton, M.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.07.2004; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; application rate; Artificial regeneration. Forest nurseries. Planting; Biological and medical sciences; biosolids; chemical constituents of plants; conifer needles; fertilizer application; forest thinning; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; land application; Leaching; mineral content; mineralization; nitrates; Nitrogen; nitrogen content; nitrogen fertilizers; nutrient availability; nutrient uptake; Nutrients; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; pellets; phosphorus; Pinus resinosa; Plant growth; potassium; soil microorganisms; soil-plant interactions; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Sowing and planting; tree growth; Trees; Water treatment; Massachusetts; United States; North America; America; USA, Massachusetts; Pellet; Pinus resinosa; Growth; Organic fertilization; Nitrogen; Inorganic element; Temperate zone; Sewage sludge; Pollutant; Nitrogen cycle; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Coniferales; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0045-5067; 1208-6037
• DOI: 10.1139/x04-039

Pelletized biosolids from municipal wastewater treatment were applied to a thinned red pine plantation to determine if there were treatment levels that could produce a fertilization growth response without resulting in unacceptable nitrate leaching. The pellets (total nutrient concentrations of 4.4% N, 1.4% P, 0.2% K) were applied at four levels (0, 200, 400, 800 kg/ha total N). Only 26% of labile organic N in the pellets was mineralized in the first year after application. Foliar N increased with increasing application rate, but other nutrients were unchanged. Red pine basal area growth was unchanged with low and medium levels, but decreased to 50% of control plots with the highest level. A decrease in foliar K/N ratio resulting from high N uptake with little additional K is hypothesized as the cause for the growth decline. The highest treatment level resulted in lysimeter nitrate-N concentrations increasing to 2 mg/L in the first year and 9 mg/L in the second, returning to control levels in the third; no increase occurred in other treatments. These results contrast with those found with liquid sludge applications, in which nearly all N mineralization and the highest nitrate leaching rates occurred in the first year. The slower release of inorganic N from pellets over 2 years may allow higher total N application rates without causing high nitrate leaching.