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Landspreading of organic wastes remains an environmentally acceptable option for recycling nutrients. This study assessed tree growth and elemental tissue concentrations in a slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation treated 16 yr previously with four rates (0, 112, 224, 448 Mg ha−1) of municipal garbage composted with sewage sludge. Tree growth was significantly greater where garbage compost was applied. Stem wood biomass increased from 55.7 to 94.7 Mg ha−1, a 1.7‐fold increase over the control for the heaviest garbage application rate. Annual tree basal area increment responses were also largest and most long‐lasting (up to 9 yr) for the 448 Mg ha−1 rate. Significant but modest treatment associated increases in concentrations of N, P, B, Fe, Al, and Zn in pine tissues (foliage, stem wood), and P and Ca in Rubus spp., a dominant understory plant, were found after 16 yr. Analysis of pine xylem tissues corresponding to the juvenile and post‐crown closure growth phases revealed significantly higher concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Al, and Zn in the latter period. Results suggest that landspreading and recycling degradable organic wastes in forests can increase tree and understory growth without long‐term deleterious ecosystem effects. The applicability of these results to a typical community in a forested landscape is illustrated.

Comparisons were made to determine the cross-pollination potential of four strawberry cultivars. The weight per fertilized ovule of self-pollinated strawberries was compared to that from cross-pollination. Results indicated in 1986–1987 that the weight of strawberries was influenced by cross pollination. In 1986, the primary strawberries obtained by the crossing of Bounty × Glooscap had an average achene weight superior to that of the control. We also noticed the same observation for the secondary strawberries by the crossing of Honeoye × Bounty in 1986 and Redcoat × Honeoye in 1987.Key words: Strawberry, cross pollination, production, xenia

Productivity and stand development of juvenile loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) were investigated using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment (species, fertilization, weed control) in north-central Florida. After four growing seasons, annual fertilization and complete weed control produced similar levels of response, increasing aboveground biomass 700% for loblolly pine and 300% for slash pine. The combined treatment improved total dry matter production 1600% (from 1.9 to 32.2 Mg ha-1) for loblolly pine and 450% (from 4.3 to 23.6 Mg ha-1) for slash pine. Equally large treatment-associated increases (up to 1210%) in all-sided leaf area index were measured. Cultural treatments increased the proportional allocations of dry matter to stem wood, stem bark, and branches for both species, a consequence of accelerated stand development. Regardless of treatment, dry matter partitioning to bole (stem wood and stem bark) tissues was greater for slash than loblolly pine (58 vs. 44%), whereas the opposite was true for the crown (foliage and branches) components (42 vs. 57%). Bole production per unit leaf area (growth efficiency) improved with increasing intensity of cultural treatments and was significantly greater for slash than loblolly pine. Results indicate that the potential to increase southern pine productivity on Lower Coastal Plain flatwoods sites is large, and that soil-plant nutrient availability is an important limiting factor. For. Sci 36(4):995-1014.