Effects of sewage sludge irradiation on uptake of macronutrients and sodium in basil plant under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Effects of 0, 15, 30 and 60 g per kg of sewage sludge exposed to gamma irradiation at doses of 0, 5, 10 and 20 kGy were investigated on macronutrients and sodium uptakes in the basil root and shoot. The results showed that using 15 and 30 g sewage sludge per kg soil increases the uptake of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium in the root and shoot, as well as the nitrogen of the shoot. The application of 60 g irradiated and non-irradiated sewage sludge with the irradiation doses used in this study per kg of soil did not cause significant effects on phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sodium absorption in the shoot and root, nitrogen in the shoot, and calcium in the root. However, it significantly decreased the calcium absorption of shoots. The maximum uptake of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the root and shoot and nitrogen in the shoot was obtained in 30 g per kg sewage sludge irradiated with 20 kGy absorbed dose. The maximum uptake of sodium was revealed in 30 g per kg sewage sludge irradiated with 10 kGy absorbed dose. With application of irradiated sewage sludge relative to non-irradiated in each level, the absorption of all studied elements increased in the basil root and shoot.

Keywords

• organic wastes
• ionizing radiation
• macronutrients
• medicinal plants