Alkalinized sewage sludge affects nutrition and growth of common bean cultivated in Ferralsols

Abstract

The application of alkaline sewage sludge to agricultural soils has increased, but nutritional implications for crops are still poorly explored. In order to evaluate the effect of alkalinized sewage sludge on nutrition and growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a greenhouse experiment was carried out using three Ferralsols and three sewage sludge types. Soil samples of loam, very clayey, and clayey Ferralsol were collected from three geologically distinct regions (sandstone, basalt, and argillite, respectively) of Paraná State, Brazil. Samples of sewage sludge were stabilized with lime (Ca-Mg oxide) and subsequently mixed with the soil samples. Alkaline stabilized sewage sludge and lime were applied to soils at rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200% the amount necessary to reach pH 5.5. Plants were sown and on the 67th day after sprouting were harvested. Shoot dry matter (DM) and height, and elemental composition of leaves were measured. Comparing to lime, the alkalinized sewage sludge had a greater effect on the shoot DM in the clayey soils. The alkaline sewage sludge applied to soils resulted in higher Zn and P contents in plant shoots than did the lime, while both amendments reduced K and Mn contents in shoots. The relationship of Fe/Mn showed very effective to explain foliar symptoms occurrence under very acid condition. The alkaline sewage sludge showed a superior performance to nourish and promote the growth of common bean in the clayey soil compared to agriculture lime.

Keywords

• acidity. liming. biosolids. iron manganese balance. phaseolus vulgaris l.