CAN WOOD CONTRIBUTE TO SOIL IMPROVEMENT?

SAWDUST, WOOD CHIPS & SHAVINGS, AND WOODY PLANT STEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE VERY VALUABLE SOURCES OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER. WOOD CONTAINS LARGE PERCENTAGES OF LIGNIN WHICH IS BROKEN DOWN INTO A HUMUS MUCH LONGER LASTING THAN A HUMUS OF ORGANIC MATTER HIGH IN CELLULOSE DERIVED FROM THE BACTERIAL DESTRUCTION OF PLOWED UNDER GREEN MANURE CROPS. LARGE AMOUNTS OF SAWDUST, WOOD CHIPS AND SHAVINGS, AND PLANT STEMS MAY BE ADMIXED WITH SOIL TO THE BENEFIT OF CROPS OR GROUND COVER PLANTS PROVIDED ADEQUATE NITROGENOUS FERTILIZERS ARE ADDED IN THE PROCESS OF SOIL IMPROVEMENT. MULCHES DERIVED FROM WOOD CAN BE CHEAPLY MANUFACTURED BY PORTABLE "HOGS" AND GRINDERS NOW AVAILABLE. HEAVY SAWDUST OR WOOD SHAVING MULCHES HAVE BEEN USED IN IMPROVING SOILS AND INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF ORCHARD CROPS. /AUTHOR/

• Record URL:
  • https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/hrbroadsidedevcomrpts/1949/1949-012.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • pp 107-112, 10 REF. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Mcintyre, A C
• Publication Date: 1949

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Serial:
  • Highway Research Board Roadside Development Committee Reports
  • Publisher: Highway Research Board

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Isotopes; Mulches; Sawdust; Soils; Wood
• Old TRIS Terms: Enrichment
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00205016
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: pp 1-8
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 13 1971 12:00AM