Field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) with composted sewage sludge. Effects on soil and grain quality

  • G. Cuevas INIA. Madrid
  • F. Martínez Universidad de Huelva. Palos de la Frontera, Huelva
  • I. Walter INIA. Madrid
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2003013-40
Keywords: ZEA MAYS, FERTILIZER APPLICATION, SEWAGE SLUDGE, APPLICATION RATES, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, CROP YIELD,

Abstract

Management of various biosolids rates on a corn silage (Zea mays L.) crop was studied to determine its effects onthe main characteristics of soil and on corn grain yield and quality. Results obtained showed that both corn grain yieldsand corn grain quality harvested in the amended soil were similar to the results obtained with the traditional mineralfertiliser. There were no significant differences among treatments over the two years of study. The mean values ofCu and Zn in the grain (1.95 and 33.4 mg kg-1, respectively) obtained in the amended plots were far below the tolerancethreshold for livestock and the toxicity values for plants. Treatment T4 (60 Mg ha-1 applied once in seedbed)showed the highest values for both the electrical conductivity (0.330 dS m-1) and the amount of NO3-N (28.5 mg kg-1).Although neither of these values was dangerous, this treatment is not recommended to avoid groundwater contaminationrisk. The available heavy metals extracted with diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid were not significantly differentamong treatments and a reduction in their availability over time was observed, mainly due to the physical and chemicalsoil properties.

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Published
2003-09-01
How to Cite
Cuevas, G., Martínez, F., & Walter, I. (2003). Field-grown maize (Zea mays L.) with composted sewage sludge. Effects on soil and grain quality. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 1(3), 111-119. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2003013-40
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2003)
Section
Invisible

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