Effect of Sewage Sludge Compost Usage on Corn and Faba Bean Growth, Carbon and Nitrogen Forms in Plants and Soil

Abstract

Sewage sludge is an effective fertilizer in many soil types. When applied as an amendment, sludge introduces, in addition to organic matter, plant nutrients into the soil. When applied for cropland as a fertilizer, the mass loading of sewage sludge is customarily determined by inputs of N and/or P required to support optimal plant growth and a successful harvest. This study aims to examine the changes in organic matter contents and nitrogen forms in sludge-amended soils, as well as the growth of corn and faba bean plants. The main results indicated that there were higher responses to the corn and faba bean yields when sludge was added. Levels of organic carbon in soil were higher after maize harvest and decreased significantly after harvesting of beans, and were higher in sludge amended soils than unmodified soils, indicating the residual effect of sludge in soil. NO3−-N concentrations were generally higher in the soil after maize harvest than during the plant growth period, but this trend was not apparent in bean soil. The amounts of NH4+-N were close in the soil during the growth period or after the maize harvest, while they were higher in the soil after the bean harvest than they were during the growth period. Total nitrogen amounts were statistically higher in the soil during the growth period than those collected after the corn harvest, while they were approximately close in the bean soil. The total nitrogen amount in corn and bean leaves increased significantly in plants grown on modified sludge soil. There were no significant differences in the total nitrogen levels of the maize and beans planted on the treated soil.

Influences of Different Ectopic Fermentation Bed Fillers of Human Excreta on the Soil Properties and Growth of Chinese Pakchoi

“…From the change in soil EC, the application of fermentation bed llers can activate the soil metabolic capacity and has a certain effect on improving the soil nature. This result is consistent with those of previous studies on the application of sludge compost to improve soil (Elsalam et al 2021). Bioorganic fertilizer can reduce the accumulation of salts in the soil and inhibit soil salinization by increasing the proportion of soil aggregates (Lin et al 2021).…”

Potential of Indigofera tinctoria Natural Dyes Compost on Maize Vegetative Growth

“…In addition, it can increase soil microbiological activity, value cation exchange capacity and improve soil structure. [1,26,27]. This is because compost can increase the permeability and organic matter content in the soil.…”

Distribution of Phosphorus Forms Depends on Compost Source Material

“…Therefore, the requirements and limits for the use of SS composts have been stated [44]. However, the potential of sewage sludge for agricultural use has been discussed, and, with potentially high bioavailable P content, it may represent an alternative to chemical fertilizer for crops of moderate demand [45][46][47].…”