USE OF SAWDUST FOR SOIL-PH AMENDMENTS

Changes in pH values during 12 weeks incubation in soils treated with acidified sawdust (ACD-SD)-treated soils ranged from 5.03 to 5.89, fro m 9.88 to 10.35 in soil treated with alkalized sawdust (ALK-SD), and r anged from pH 6.88 to 7.35 in untreated sawdust-amended soil. In uname nded soil, pH values were 6.80 to 7.35. Bacterial populations over the 12 weeks in ACD-SD-treated soils increased from 5x10(6) to 167x10(6) colonies while bacterial populations in ALK-SD-treated soils increased from 2x10(6) to 54x10(6). Fungal populations increased from 6x10(4) t o 11,333x10(4) colonies per gram soil in ACD-SD treated soils over the 12 week incubation. Untreated sawdust and control soil did not result in any significant changes in the fungal populations.