The possibility of using sewage sludge for energy crop cultivation exemplified by reed canary grass and giant miscanthus

Abstract

Energy crops, on account of high biomass yields, have high nutrient requirements in relation to macroelements. Municipal sewage sludge can be a potential source of micronutrients for plants with high nutrient requirements. The use of macronutrients from sewage sludge by energy crops is an alternative form of nutrient recycling from organic waste. The aim of the research was to assess the content, uptake and use of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na from municipal sewage sludge by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu). The effect of sewage sludge on the ratios between macroelements in the biomass of the tested plants was also assessed. The multi-year field experiment involved four levels of fertilization with sewage sludge at doses of 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 Mg DM·ha−1. Due to the low potassium content in this waste, supplementary potassium fertilization (100 kg K·ha−1 in the form of 40% potassium salt (KCl)) was applied once on all plots. It was established that the increasing doses of sewage sludge had a considerable effect on the increase in the content and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na by the biomass of the tested energy crops. The research shows that, compared to giant miscanthus, reed canary grass had a higher macronutrient content. The largest amount of uptaken N, P, K, Ca and Mg was found in reed canary grass (at a dose of 40 Mg DM·ha−1), whereas Na was detected in giant miscanthus (at a dose o 20 Mg DM·ha−1). It was established that giant miscanthus, on account of its higher yielding, recovers macroelements from sewage sludge applied to soil at a dose of 10 Mg DM·ha−1 to the greatest extent. The increasing doses of sewage sludge considerably decreased the value of K:Mg, Ca:Mg, Ca:P ratios in miscanthus biomass yield. The applied doses of sewage sludge (40–60 Mg DM·ha−1) increased the value of K:Ca, Ca:P, K:Na ratios in miscanthus biomass yield.

Sewage Sludge as a Soil Amendment for Growing Biomass Plant Arundo donax L.

“…Kubátová et al [18] observed the elevated yield of willows supported by SS fertilization from the second harvest, while the plant growth was limited in the first years. Several papers were published by the research group around Kołodziej and Antonkiewicz, which confirmed the positive effect of fertilization with SS on the biomass yield of energy plants from the Poaceae-Sorghum bicolor [19], Miscanthus × giganteus [20,21] and Phalaris arundinacea [21] families.…”

“…This is in agreement with the previously published findings. A positive effect of SS as a soil amendment on the plant characteristics and biomass yield of other energy plants from the Poaceae family was described by the research group around Kołodziej and Antonkiewicz [19][20][21]. They observed a significant impact of the application of SS (10-60 t ha −1 ) on plant height, the number of leaves and the stems' diameter and dry weight of three cultivars of sweet sorghum [19].…”

“…All measured parameters were also significantly affected by the variety and the year of cultivation. In the experiments with Miscanthus × giganteus [20,21], they found that the addition of 20 tons of SS per ha supported the highest increase in the yield of biomass and its energy value. However, the most effective macronutrient recovery from SS was measured for the dose of 10 t ha −1 .…”

Bioprospecting of a Novel Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Bacillus altitudinis KP-14 for Enhancing Miscanthus × giganteus Growth in Metals Contaminated Soil

“…Generally, there are two main approaches to be considered. The first approach is about influence to the soil by adding different amendments such as fertilizers [ 14 ], sludge [ 11 , 15 ], and biosolids [ 9 ], or incorporating to the system citric acid, EDTA [ 16 ], and fungi [ 17 ]. The second approach is focused on direct impact to rhizomes, which can be achieved by co-composting treatment, treatment by plant growth regulators [ 18 ], and incorporation of the microbial organisms [ 19 ].…”

Multiyear phytoremediation and dynamic of foliar metal(loid)s concentration during application of Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu to polluted soil from Bakar, Croatia

“…Varieties of in situ and ex situ approaches are used for remediation of such areas, including surface capping, encapsulation, landfilling, soil flushing or washing, stabilization, solidification and phytoremediation and bioremediation (Liu et al 2018 ; Burges et al 2018 ). While the main techniques are rather costly and environmentally disturbing, the application of phytoremediation sounds promising, in particular with plants produced a high amount of biomass (Yadav et al 2018 ; Antonkiewicz et al 2019 ), and was recommended for post-industrial sites (Cunningham and Ow 1996 ; Chaney et al 2014 ). Guarino and Sciarrilli ( 2017 ) reported successful application of phytoremediation using two plants with high annual biomass yield: Helianthus annuus L. and Brassica juncea L. when a considerable amount of toxic elements (Cd, Hg, Zn) were taken from soils of the industrial area of Porto Marghera.…”