Agronomics of land application of municipal collected shade tree leaves. I. Soil properties
2000
Heckman, J.R. | Kluchinski, D.
Land application of municipal collected shade tree (MCST)-leaves is a permitted practice in New Jersey that may be useful in sustainable agriculture. The material helps build soil organic matter, but its overall impact on soil properties and nutrient levels needs to be determined. This study, conducted near Pittstown, NJ on a Quakertown silt loam (fine-loamy-mixed, mesic, Typic hapludult) from 1991 to 1994, examined the effects of MCST-leaves on soil organic matter content, ph, and soil test levels of nutrients and heavy metals, following three years of annual applications at 0, 22.5 and 45 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1). Soil samples were collected four years after the initial application of MCST-leaves to evaluate treatment effects. Soil organic carbon levels increased from 13.9 g kg(-1) in the unamended soil to 17.1 g kg(-1) in the 22.5 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) rate of MCST-leaves and to 18.4 g kg(-1) for the 45 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) rate. About 17% of the C that was added to the soil as MCST-leaves remained in the soil one year after the end of the three-year period of annual applications. Soil organic nitrogen levels increased from 1.0 g kg(-1) for the unamended soil to 2.0 kg(-1) for the 45 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) rate. Soil pH levels and Mehlich-3 extractable P, K, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr were unchanged by the applications of MCST-leaves while levels of Ca and B were increased. Percentage of exchangeable Ca increased in the amended soil while the exchangeable Mg decreased. The practice of land applying MCST-leaves is consistent with sustainable agriculture, to raise soil organic matter and Ca levels without causing an excessive buildup of soil test P.
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