Harrison (1995) found that the physical properties of a silt loam of pH 6.5 could be improved with high applica-Land application of sewage biosolids is a cheap disposal method tion rates of N-viro soil. In a glasshouse study, Pierzynski that permits recycling of plant nutrients, but there are concerns about its long-term agronomic value and environmental effects. This study and Schwab (1993) found that N-viro soil applied at the investigated the fertilizer value of alkaline-stabilized biosolids applied rate of 5 Mg DM ha Ϫ1 decreased Zn in the soil labile annually to spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Dewatered biosolids fraction and Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations in soybean [320-350 g kg Ϫ1 dry matter (DM)] were alkaline stabilized by mixing [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants. Sloan and Basta (1995) them with cement kiln dust and composting aerobically. The product reported that N-viro soil effectively remediated soil had some liming value (300 g kg Ϫ1 DM CaCO 3 equivalent on average) acidity and Al toxicity in three highly acidic soils. Wong and contained an average of 7.2, 2.3, and 19.5 g kg Ϫ1 DM of N, P, (1995) showed that mixtures of alkaline fly ash and and K. Two field experiments compared the P or K value of the biosolids mixed with loam soil decreased the availability biosolids with inorganic fertilizer P or K for seven consecutive annual spring barley crops on two contrasting soils. All biosolid and fertilizer of Zn, Cu, and Cd to tall wheatgrass [Elytrigia elongata treatments gave higher yields than the controls. Biosolids gave higher (Host) Nevski] plants in a pot experiment and increased grain and straw yields than fertilizer P, similar grain and straw yields plant yield. In contrast, Sajwan et al. (1995) found into fertilizer K, and higher grain weights and more grains per ear than creased concentrations of Cu and Zn in sorghum/sufertilizer P or K. These effects may have been due to, inter alia, dangrass hybrid plants in a loamy sand amended with higher soil pH and S inputs. An increasing soil pH from biosolid a mixture of coal fly ash and sewage biosolids. One application was associated with lower shoot Mn concentrations, but problem with using coal fly ash is its relatively high no Mn deficiency symptoms were observed. Alkaline biosolids acted concentration of B. Relatively low concentrations of B as a slow-release P fertilizer, and biosolid P was at least as availablecan be phytotoxic, especially to cereals, and B may affect to the crops as inorganic fertilizer P. Biosolid K was also as available as fertilizer K. A calculation of nutrient balances indicated that current plant growth when high application rates of biosolids fertilizer P recommendations could be lowered. P. Christie, Agric. and Environ. Sci. Division, Dep. of Agric. and for agricultural use by using rural batches of sewage Rural Dev. for N. Ireland, Newforge Lane, Belfast, United Kingdom biosolids with lower metal loadings than urban or indus-