# Synergistic Effects of Partial Substitution of Sludge with Cattle Manure and Straw on Soil Improvement and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Growth in Horqin Sandy Land, China

## TL;DR

Combining sludge, cattle manure, and straw improves sandy soil and promotes pine growth in northern China, reducing heavy metals.

## Contribution

A novel ternary amendment strategy for soil improvement and afforestation in degraded sandy lands.

## Key findings

- Ternary amendment (T4) increased soil organic carbon 2.5-fold and improved nitrogen and phosphorus levels.
- Pinus sylvestris growth improved with 65.6% greater basal diameter and 29.5% height increase under T4.
- Heavy metal concentrations in soil decreased significantly with the ternary amendment.

## Abstract

Afforestation with Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in northern China is hindered by soil degradation. This study evaluated a ternary amendment combining sewage sludge (SS), cattle manure (CM), and maize straw (MS) to rehabilitate degraded sandy soils in the Horqin Sandy Land. Five treatments were tested: control (CK), SS (T1), SS + CM (T2), SS+MS (T3), and SS + CM + MS (T4). The ternary amendment (T4) achieved optimal outcomes: soil pH decreased from 8.02 to 7.79, organic carbon increased 2.5–fold, and total nitrogen (127%) and phosphorus (87.5%) were enhanced compared to CK. Pinus sylvestris exhibited a 65.6% greater basal diameter and 29.5% height increase under T4, while heavy metal concentrations (Cd: −54.6%, Cu: −35.1%, Pb: −12.2% and Zn: −27.6%) were reduced. These findings highlight a synergistic waste valorization strategy for dryland afforestation, balancing soil fertility improvement with ecological safety. Future studies should prioritize long-term microbial community dynamics and field-scale validation.