NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF SIX WETLAND/RIPARIAN PLANT SPECIES RECEIVING SWINE LAGOON EFFLUENT

A two-year study was conducted to determine the growth response of six different wetland/riparian plant species receiving swine lagoon effluent. Wastewater from the third lagoon of the University of Georgia main swine unit at Tifton, Georgia, was applied to replicates of the species Ilex cassine (‘Dahoon Holly’), Cephalanthus occidentalis (‘Buttonbush’), Itea virginica (‘Virginia Sweetspire’), Spartina patens (‘Saltmeadow Cordgrass’), Juncus effusus (Soft Rush), and Panicum hemitomon (‘Maidencane’). The plants were grown in open ended steel containers recessed in the soil at a field site so that they received natural weather conditions in addition to applied wastewater. Measurements were taken periodically of plant height, plant width, biomass, leaf area, and N and P content. All six plant species responded to wastewater with increased growth, and were tolerant of the level of wastewater application. It was found that of the broad-leaved species Cephalanthus had the greatest growth response, while of the non-broad-leaved species Spartina had the greatest growth.