Use of sewage sludge and biomass ash as a fertilizer of short-rotation coppice plantations

Cultivation of short-rotation coppice (SRC) plantations is gaining momentum with the increasing demand for renewable energy worldwide. Even the modest nutrient demands of SRC plantations deplete the soil nutrient pool over time and sustainable long- term production requires application of appropriate fertilizers. The waste products sewage sludge and biomass ash are complex fertilizers rich in nutrients. Yet their application in field is restricted due to an appreciable content of hazardous substances. In this manual we propose guidelines on the use of sewage sludge and biomass ash as a main fertilizer of SRC plantations. Our manual complies with all laws that regulate the use of the waste on agricultural land in the Czech Republic. It specifies application mode and time. Dosages are calculated based on the local soil conditions, the leaf nutrient status and the genotype of the used tree clones. Simple calculations use derived table values and allow the grower to assess the fertilization needs of a particular plantation and the way how to meet them very quickly. The manual has been certified by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic