Changes in Soil Health and Crops Yield in Response to the Short-Term Application of Sewage Sludge to Typic Xerofluvent Soil in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the possible effects on soil health and crop yield of the application of anaerobically digested sewage sludge (SS) at doses of 10 (SS 1 ), 20 (SS 2 ) and 30 (SS 3 ) t ha -1 yr -1 to degraded soils under maize (Zea mays L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystem in Turkey. Application of SS at different doses did not show any disruptive effect on microbial biomass and activity in the soil. In the microbiochemical parameters analyzed in the soils under the two plant covers treated with SS, increases were seen of 29-30% compared with control, and of 28-30% in comparison with chemical fertilizer application. Yield increases secured by chemical fertilizers were statistically significantly higher than those from the SS 1 . In maize grain yield, statistically significant increases were shown in comparison with the control of 90% with SS 3 and of 86% with SS 2 . Similarly, seed cotton showed a statistically significant increase in yield of 72% with SS 3 . Results obtained from the study show that for degraded soils in Mediterranean biodegradability conditions, application of SS at a rate of 30 t ha -1 yr -1 can be used both as a soil improver to maintain the soil and as an organic fertilizer to increase crop yield.

Use of sewage sludge in agricultural soils: Useful or harmful

“…The effect of sewage sludge on biological activity may be used as indicator of soil pollution (Fließbach et al, 1994). According to some researches sewage sludge amendment increased the soil microbial activity, soil respiration and soil enzymes activities (Banerjee et al, 1997;Kayikcioglu and Delibacak, 2018). However, reduction in soil enzyme activities has also been reported at longer incubation period with high heavy metal availability (Fließbach et al, 1994).…”

Change in cotton plant quality in response to application of anaerobically digested sewage sludge

“…One of the potential use of treatment sludge is the agricultural lands applications e.g. slope stabilization, restoration of degraded soils, improvement of soil properties or facilitation of reforestation activities in order to improve both labile and stabile soil organic carbon content ( Kayikcioglu and Delibacak, 2018 , Kayikcioglu et al, 2019 ). Many studies have investigated the effects of sewage sludge application on several arable crops, such as wheat ( Tejada and Gonzalez, 2007 ), barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) ( Antolín et al, 2005 ), maize ( Zea mays L.) ( Melo et al, 2018 , Kayikcioglu et al, 2019 ), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) ( Samaras et al, 2008 ), bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) ( Koutroubas et al, 2014 ) and sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) ( Koutroubas et al, 2020 ).…”