Effect of water treatment sludge on growth and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00103628809367943· OSTI ID:5026227

Elliott, H A; Singer, L M ^[1]

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1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)

The impact of a water treatment sludge on the fertility of a silt loam soil was assessed by monitoring the yield and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots in a greenhouse study. Application of sludge at rates from 2-10% (air dry weight basis) raised the soil pH from 5.3 to 8.0 which enhanced plant growth. A substantial reduction in metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni) uptake was observed with sludge amendments, even at the highest rates. The alkaline nature of this sludge (pH=9.3, calcium carbonate equivalence=53%) suggest its potential use as a liming material for agricultural soils. Overly alkaline conditions should be avoided however, as high application rates combined with ammonia fertilization had an antagonistic effect on plant growth, possibly from P deficiency induced by struvite (MgNH{sub 4}PO{sub 4}) formation.

• OSTI ID: 5026227
• Journal Information: Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis; (USA), Vol. 19:3; ISSN 0010-3624
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CADMIUM
UPTAKE
COPPER
NICKEL
SEWAGE SLUDGE
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
TOMATOES
PLANT GROWTH
ZINC
ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY
GROUND DISPOSAL
SOILS
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
FOOD
FRUITS
GROWTH
MANAGEMENT
METALS
SEWAGE
SLUDGES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER CHEMISTRY
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology