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

Authors: RABEL, DIEGO - Timac Agro; MAEDA, SHIZUO - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA); ARAUJO, ELOA - Universidade Federal Do Parana; GOMES, JOAO - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA); BOGNOLLA, ITAMAR - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA); Prior, Stephen - Steve; MAGRI, EDERLAN - Universidade Federal Do Parana; FRIGO, CLEITON - University Of Santa Catarina; BRASILEIRO, BRUNO - Universidade Federal Do Parana; SANTOS, MARIANA - Universidade Federal Do Parana; PEDREIRA, GUILHERME - Universidade Federal Do Parana; MOTTA, ANTONIO - Universidade Federal Do Parana

Submitted to: New Forests
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2020
Publication Date: 5/14/2020
Citation: Rabel, D., Maeda, S., Araujo, E., Gomes, J., Bognolla, I., Prior, S.A., Magri, E., Frigo, C., Brasileiro, B., Santos, M., Pedreira, G., Motta, A. 2020. Recycled alkaline paper waste influenced growth and structure of Pinus taeda forest. New Forests. 52:249-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-020-09791-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-020-09791-5

Interpretive Summary: The majority of commercial Pinus taeda production occurs in southern Brazil on acidic soils with low natural fertility, which can be similar to conditions in southern USA. This study evaluated the application alkaline residue of recycled paper since Pinus plantations are normally located near paper industries and use of this residue could be a cheap nutrient source and drastically reduce landfilling expenses for these industries. Overall, findings suggest that above and belowground trees growth could be enhanced and that residue application altered litter and soil nutrient levels. Use of paper industry wastes on P. taeda plantations could be a viable alternative for recycling residues from pulp industry production. Besides providing a destination for these residues, applications will favor tree growth and contribute to a more sustainable management of low fertility soils.

Technical Abstract: 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 three-year-old Brazilian pine forest. 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 Fr, Fm, 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. Ten years after ARRP application, changes in soil pH, Ca2+, and Al3+ 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.