The application of potato starch effluent causes a reduction in the photosynthetic efficiency and growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Abstract

Key message: The high concentration of N and K caused a weakening of physiological conditions of the trees. Application of N, P and K from starch effluent is not a suitable method of waste management. Abstract: Since 1984, potato starch effluent has been applied to trees in the Iława Forest Inspectorate to promote the biological utilization of this waste product containing high amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). We examined the tree rings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) to study the effect of intensive fertilization on tree rings. A total of 120 samples were taken from three sites representing a fertilized and unfertilized area and trees growing at a control site, outside the forest waste water system. We found that February and March temperature influenced the growth of tree rings. We used multiple regression to investigate the influence of N, P and K concentration, the amount of waste water and February and March temperature upon tree growth. Akaike information criterion (AIC) model selection was applied to choose the most influential factors upon growth, and additional multiple regression analyses were performed for two subsets of variables. Trees growing on the unfertilized site responded positively to N content and negatively to P content. For the fertilized site, the high concentration of N and K together with decreasing volume of waste water caused a growth decline. Trees from fertilized area also showed a decrease in their photosynthetic efficiency.