Initial Response of Pine Seedlings and Weeds to Dried Sewage Sludge in Rehabilitation of an Eroded Forest Site

摘要

Dried sewage sludge was applied at rates of 0, 17, 34, and 69 metric tons/ha on a badly eroded forest site in the Piedmont region of northeast Georgia. Production of weed biomass varied directly with amount of sludge applied. Height growth for both shortleaf and loblolly pine seedlings appeared to be greater on plots receiving 17 metric tons of sludge/ha, but differences between treatments were not statistically significant. High mortality of pine seedlings on plots receiving heavy sludge applications was attributed to competition from weeds whose growth had been stimulated.