Effects of activated paper sludge cake on growth and production of biomass of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) planted in Yang Talat soil series

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of activated paper sludge cake on growth and production of biomass of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.) planted in Yang Talat soil series. Experimental design was randomized complete block (RCBD). At one year after planting, result showed that applying 800 kg/rai activated paper sludge cake combining with chemical fertilizers, i.e., equivalent to 800 kg/rai of activated paper sludge cake (AS800 + IFAS800) effected on the highest plant heights, plant diameters, total fresh and dry biomass which was nearly the same as applications of chemical fertilizers, i.e., equivalent to 1,600 kg/rai of activated paper sludge cake (IFAS1600) and activated paper sludge cake 1,600 kg/rai (AS1600), respectively. At two years after planting, combination of 1,600 kg/rai activated paper sludge cake and chemical fertilizers, i.e., equivalent to 1,600 kg/rai of activated paper sludge cake (AS1600 + IFAS1600) gave the highest plant heights, plant diameters, total fresh and dry biomass nearly similarly the applications of chemical fertilizers, i.e., equivalent to 3,200 kg/rai of activated paper sludge cake (IFAS3200) and activated paper sludge cake 3,200 kg/rai (AS3200), respectively. Applying activated paper sludge cake 3,200 kg/rai (AS3200) had the effected on the highest of soil organic matter, available P, exchangeable K, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg and available water capacity (AWCA), while the application of 1,600 kg/rai activated paper sludge cake combining with chemical fertilizers, i.e., equivalent to 1,600 kg/rai of activated paper sludge cake (AS1600 + IFAS1600) showed the second highest.