Influence of Sewage Sludge Application On Growth of Atlantic Forest Species.

Brazilian native plants, from Atlantic Forest, are poorly in mineral nutrition and growth studies, especially in organic residues addition, as a plant nutrient supply. Fertilization with organic residues at planting time in forest species is important to faster growth and, therefore, to provide a faster reforestation, beyond a suitable destination for large amounts of several residues, like sewage sludge, produced around the world. The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of some species (Pioneer species: Schinus terebinthifolius and Croton floribundus; Secundary species: Peltophorum dubium, Cedrella fissilis, Anadenanthera macrocarpa and Guazuma ulmifolia; Climax species: Cariniana estrellensis, Hymenaea courbaril and Copaifera langsdorffii.) of Atlantic Forest after application of sewage sludge to recovery a degraded soil. The experiment was set up at the Suzano Bahia Sul Company. Randomized blocks design, with 8 treatments and 4 replications, in a sandy soil degraded by laminar erosion and high compaction level. The treatments used were: Control; Inorganic Fertilization: containing 260 Kg ha^-1 from N, P and K fertilizer (6-30-10) + 0,3% B and 1,5 Kg ha^-1 of zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at planting time; and Sewage sludge doses (dry weight): 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20,0 t ha^-1 plus K supplementation for each dose. The height and diameters measurements were made every 6 months after sewage sludge applications during 36 months. The native species have responded positively to application of sewage sludge, and the treatments with the highest doses promoted the highest growth responses, and you can replace it with the application of sewage sludge in forest plantations.