Absorption and Distribution of Ca, Mg and K by Soybean Cultivars Grown on Sludge Amended Soil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sewage sludge loading rates affect availability of plant nutrients and in turn plant growth, but published work on Ca, Mg, and K absorption by food crops from sludge amended soil is limited. To evaluate the absorption and distribution of the nutrients Ca, Mg and K by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] from a sludge amended Enon sandy loam soil, an investigation was conducted in the greenhouse. The sludge rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 Mgha−1 dry basis. Soybeans of Bragg and Ransom cultivars were grown in pots to dry pod stage. There was a significant increase in bean yield by plants grown in sludge amended soil compared to control. During the full bloom stage leaves were collected for Ca, Mg, and K analysis. At dry pod stage, the seeds, podwalls and stems were sampled for the nutrient determination. There was an increase in absorption of Ca by leaves of both the cultivars under sludge treatment. Content of Ca in seeds and podwalls of the cultivars decreased significantly, whereas it was unaffected i...