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Field plot studies with sawdust for soil improvement

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Summary

Heavy application of fresh and rotted sawdust to field plots in comparison to manure and untreated control plots showed no significant difference in yields of corn over a four year period. The soil type was coarse textured and poor in nutrients at the start. However, the total yields for the rotted sawdust plots were consistently greater each year than those for the other treatments, thus possibly indicating a trend of benefit for the rotted sawdust treatments. Total yields for the fresh sawdust were close to those for the controls.

Heavy applications of fertilizer, especially nitrogen, were necessary the first three years, but only a rather light application was necessary the fourth year.

Soil moisture determinations indicate that all of the organic materials tend to prevent pronounced fluctuations in moisture levels, the rotted sawdust most of all.

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References

  1. Allison, F. E., and Anderson, M. S., The use of sawdust for mulches and soil improvement. U.S. Dep. Agr., Bur. Plant Industry, Soils and Agr. Eng. Mimeographed, 18 pp. (1951).

  2. Bouyoucos, G. J., and Mick, A. H., An electrical resistance method for the continuous measurement of soil moisture under field conditions. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 172 (1940).

  3. Lunt, H. A., Wood as a soil builder? Connecticut Agr. Exp. Sta. Ann. Rep., Frontiers of Plant Sci.4, No. 1, 8 (1951).

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  4. Midgley, A. R., The use of sawdust, shavings and superphosphate with dairy manure. Wood products for fertilizer. Northeastern Wood Utilization Council Bull.32, 15–23 (1950).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station Durham, N.H., USA

    Stuart Dunn, L. P. Wolfe Jr., W. A. Macdonald & John R. Baker

Authors
  1. Stuart Dunn
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  2. L. P. Wolfe Jr.
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  3. W. A. Macdonald
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  4. John R. Baker
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Additional information

Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment statioń as Scientific Contribution No. 150.

This report is derived from portions of theses prepared by the three junior authors in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. S. degree, University of New Hampshire.

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Dunn, S., Wolfe, L.P., Macdonald, W.A. et al. Field plot studies with sawdust for soil improvement. Plant Soil 4, 164–170 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373645

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01373645

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