Irrigation of radiata pine with waste water: a review of the potential for tree growth and water renovation

Abstract

Summary Ever-increasing quantities of waste water are being produced but legislative constraints placed on disposal to the environment are becoming more rigid. Experiments conducted over the past 60 years have shown that Pinus radiata has great potential for increased growth when supplied with additional water. The additional growth occurs predominantly during late summer and autumn which increases the proportion of latewood and improves wood quality. The utilization of a forest environment for disposal and renovation of waste water has a number of advantages over other land-based methods. In particular, the need for expensive pre-treatment and disinfection could largely be avoided without an increase in the risk to public health. The possible effects of waste waters containing high concentrations of sodium, nitrogen, heavy metals and boron are discussed. Greater attention should be given to the potential of forest environments for the utilization and renovation of waste water, and it is suggested that fo...