Assessment of sewage sludge application on microbial diversity, soil properties and quality of wheat plants grown in a sandy soil [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A field trail was carried out on a sandy soil in El-Kata village, Giza governorate, to probe the consequences of enriching the soil with diverse rates of sewage sludge (10, 20 and 30 tons/fed) on microbial diversity, soil properties, growth and yield of wheat plants. The results indicated a significant rise in soil fertility level, as far as biological, chemical and physical features are considered. Wheat yield under the high rate of sewage sludge application (30 t fed-1) was significantly higher than that gained under chemical fertilization while, wheat yield under chemical fertilization was significantly higher than that harvested under the low rate of sewage sludge application (10 t fed-1). The differences in wheat yield between chemically fertilized plots and those receiving 20 tons fed-1 of sewage sludge were not significant. It is worthy to mention that the concentrations of K, In, Mn, Cu, Cd and Pb did not increase in seeds or straw subsequent to sewage sludge application. EDTA-extractable Cu, In, Pb and Cd concentrations in soil increased with increasing rates of sewage sludge application. However, the accumulation of K, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb in soil as a result of sewage sludge use at wheat harvested was barely visible. It is concluded that the use of sewage sludge in agriculture as a partial substitute of mineral fertilizers and as an ameliorating agent for soil physical and biological properties might be seen as a common practice as. Eventual assessment of the accumulation of potential toxic elements in soil is highly recommended.

Summary in Arabic.

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