The effect of municipal sewage sludge on the chemical composition of spring barley

Abstract

Due to the fact that soils in Poland are mostly light soils, there is a need to improve their physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, as a result of the decrease in the number of farm animals, a decrease in production of natural fertilizers can be observed. Low production of natural fertilizers speaks in favor of agricultural use of municipal sewage sludge in Poland. Municipal sewage sludge is composed of large quantities of macronutrients necessary for plants. This waste also contains significant amounts of organic substance. Chemical properties, including a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and often calcium, speak in favor of environmental use of municipal sewage sludge. Increasing requirements with respect to environmental protection cause the necessity to assess the effects of using organic waste for fertilization. In a farm located in the commune of Iwanowice (Małopolska province), municipal sewage sludge was applied under spring barley cultivation. The soil on which municipal sewage sludge was applied was classified into the category of heavy soils with neutral reaction. When assessing the content of available nutrients (P, K, Mg) in the soil, their low content was determined. After application of municipal sewage sludge in a dose of 24 Mg fresh matter per hectare, which corresponded to 5.34 Mg DM·ha−1, under spring barley, beneficial changes in chemical properties of the soil were observed. An increase in soil abundance in organic carbon and total nitrogen was observed, as well as an increase in the content of available forms of phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Based on the results of the conducted chemical analyses, it was established that biomass of spring barley fertilized with sewage sludge contained more macronutrients (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg), which improved its feed value. The field experiment showed that application of municipal sewage sludge increased uptake of macronutrients by spring barley.

Proximate Composition, Minerals and Antioxidant Activity of Artichoke Leaf Extracts

“…The elemental ratios determined for biomass (grain, straw) of plants intended for animal feed are highly variable [41][42][43] which limits the legitimacy of their comparison with the examined artichoke extract.…”

The effect of municipal sewage sludge on the content, use and mass ratios of some elements in spring barley biomass

“…This paper is continuation of research on the effect of municipal sewage sludge on chemical composition of spring barley (Kêpka et al 2016). …”

“…This sludge is rich in nutrients necessary for plants, and that is why it is recommended to use it in agriculture for fertilizing purposes (Bauman-Kaszubska and Sikorski 2008, Alvarenga et al 2015, Kêpka et al 2016.…”

Ivy pelargonium response to media containing sewage sludge and potato pulp

“…64, 2018, No. 3: 95-101 Plant Soil Environ. amount was close to the MF rate, but produced 32% higher grain N, due to the combination of a more constant release of N throughout the growth cycle, and the improvement of soil physical properties, primarily porosity (Kępka et al 2016). The beneficial effects of biosolids application on the growth and N uptake of spring barley may also be attributed to the supply of micronutrients (Esperschuetz et al 2016a), and to the improvement of soil biological activity (Elbl et al 2014, Plošek et al 2017.…”