Long-Term Effect of Wood Ash and Wastewater Sludge Fertilization on Tree Growth in Short-Rotation Forest Plantations on Abandoned Agricultural Land: A Case Study

Abstract

Short-rotation forest plantations on former agricultural land capture CO2, provide bioeconomic materials, and mitigate climate change. This study aimed to enhance our understanding of the long-term effects of wood ash and wastewater sludge fertilization on various tree species (birch, hybrid aspen, grey alder, black alder, and hybrid alder) in short-rotation forestry plantations on abandoned agricultural land where tree growth measurements were taken over an 11-year period. After 11 years, the highest aboveground biomass (AGB) was observed for hybrid aspen clone No. 4 under wastewater sludge treatment (109.0 t ha−1), birch under wood ash treatment (34.3 t ha−1), black alder under wastewater sludge treatment (33.6 t ha−1), grey alder under wastewater sludge treatment (40.9 t ha−1), hybrid alder under control conditions (36.2 t ha−1), and hybrid aspen clone No. 28 under wood ash treatment (37.2 t ha−1). The average survival rate was 73% in control plots, 81% under wastewater sludge treatment, and 78% under wood ash treatment. Short-term positive impacts on tree growth were observed, effects that were not consistent over the long term. The impact of these treatments on tree growth varied between species, and the effects tended to diminish over time, which must be considered before fertilization.