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Evaluation of short-rotation woody crops to stabilize a decommissioned swine lagoon

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Fast growing tree stands represent an environmentally friendly, less expensive method for stabilization of decommissioned animal production lagoons than traditional lagoon closure. We tested the feasibility of using short-rotation woody crops (SRWCs) in central Oklahoma to close a decommissioned swine lagoon by evaluating the growth performance and nutrient uptake of two SRWCs. After backfilling a de-watered swine lagoon with soil, we planted sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) in 2008 and cottonwood (Populus deltoides) in 2009 at 2240 trees ha-1. After three growing years, sycamore averaged 4.5 m and 4 cm in height and diameter respectively, whereas the two-year-old cottonwood averaged 5.8 m and 4.8 cm in height and diameter respectively. Cottonwood produced 16 Mg/ ha of dry biomass and contained 193 kg/ha of Nitrogen (N) and 31 kg/ha of Phosphorous (P). Sycamore produced 8.5 Mg/ha of dry biomass and contained 72 kg/ha of N and 14 kg/ha of P.

Parent Publication

Citation

Dipesh, K.C.; Will, Rodney E.; Hennessey, Thomas C.; Penn, Chad J. 2012. Evaluation of short-rotation woody crops to stabilize a decommissioned swine lagoon. In: Butnor, John R., ed. 2012. Proceedings of the 16th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 159-164.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/41430