Production of forest seedlings using sewage sludge and automated irrigation with ozonated cattle wastewater

Abstract

The large volume of effluents generated by intensive cattle production can become an environmental problem, requiring solutions that combine treatment and disposal of reuse water. The quality of cattle wastewater (CWW) treated by ozonation, the water requirement and its effect on the growth of seedlings of Dalbergia nigra cultivated with sewage sludge were determined under different light conditions. The study was carried out in a split plot scheme with 2 shading levels (0%—C1, and 49.4% attenuation—C2) and 3 types of irrigation water (control–T1, 1 h ozonation–T2, and 2 h–T3), with 4 repetitions. Direct sowing was realized into 280 cm3 tubes which were irrigated by drip irrigation with automatic management. The height and collar diameter were measured every 21 days, and at the end of the nursery phase, and the Dickson quality index (DQI) and irrigation water productivity (WPir) were determined. In addition, seedlings were transplanted in a forest restauration area (FRA) of Atlantic Forest, with height and diameter monitoring for 200 days. With ozonation, there was an increase in pH and a reduction in electrical conductivity, total solids and turbidity in the CWW, allowing its use for irrigation of forest seedlings. The maximum volumes of water applied were 2.096 and 1.921 L plant-1, with water supply T2 and T1, respectively, and coverages C1 and C2. In these conditions, the seedlings reached DQI of 0.47 and 0.17, and WPir of 2.35 and 1.48 g L-1, respectively. The initial vegetative growth of the seedlings planted in the FRA was benefited by the nutrients provided by the CWW treated. Therefore, the use of sewage sludge and CWW treated has the potential to produce forest seedlings, reducing the release of waste and effluents into the environment.

Treated cattle wastewater affects the growth, quality and water productivity of Dalbergia nigra seedlings produced with shading and irrigation levels

“…In general, seedlings of better quality (DQI) were produced applying W 2 (Figure 5B), whose concentration of nutrients especially favored growth in diameter (Figure 4D) and, consequently, the accumulation of dry matter. Using CWW, Silva et al (2022) found that lower exposure to ozonation promoted higher concentrations of P, N, and organic matter, which constitute interesting results for agricultural use of O 3 as an enhancer of substrate fertility. It is worth mentioning that the success of forest restoration depends on planting quality seedlings with excellent growth potential (Grossnickle and MacDonald, 2017).…”

“…Wastewater is a promising source, especially in the forestry sector, as it neither involves food production for human consumption nor poses a health issue (Salgot and Folch, 2018), and provides nutrients to seedlings (Lubello et al, 2004). Cattle wastewater (CWW) needs attention mainly because it can only be discarded with treatment in water bodies or for alternative application in agriculture (Silva et al, 2022). In connection with this, the use of treated CWW as irrigation water in nurseries becomes a sustainable alternative.…”