Abstract
Chromium (Cr) accumulation in soil and plants has been reported after successive applications of tannery sludge, which is a matter of concern because Cr can promote environmental contamination and affect the food chain. In this study, we evaluated the growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea after seven years of consecutive applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS) under field conditions. The experiment consisted of application of CTS at five levels: 0 (control), 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 Mg ha -1 (dry basis). The growth of and Cr accumulation in maize and cowpea were evaluated at 75 and 65 days after plant emergence, respectively. CTS application increased the shoot biomass of maize and cowpea. Accumulation of Cr was similar for both plant species, with higher accumulation in roots. However, Cr accumulation in grains differed as the CTS doses increased; cowpea accumulated more Cr while maize did not accumulate more Cr in grains with higher CTS doses. In conclusion, application of CTS led to higher growth of maize and cowpea plants, and both species exhibited similar Cr accumulation in roots and shoots.
Highlights
Tannery industries generate an enormous amount of solid waste, commonly known as tannery sludge
This waste usually contains a high amount of chromium (Cr) that is deposited in the environment and can result in environmental contamination and, affect the food chain (Singh et al, 2015; Silva et al, 2010)
This study evaluated the growth, Cr accumulation and yield response of maize and cowpea after seven years of consecutive applications of composted tannery sludge (CTS) in agricultural soil
Summary
Tannery industries generate an enormous amount of solid waste, commonly known as tannery sludge. In Brazil, the volume of tannery sludge generated by the industry is approximately 150 - 200 kg per ton of leather (dry basis). This waste usually contains a high amount of chromium (Cr) that is deposited in the environment and can result in environmental contamination and, affect the food chain (Singh et al, 2015; Silva et al, 2010). Some studies have proposed the agricultural use of composted tannery sludge as an alternative treatment method like that of other similar solid waste (Singh et al, 2015; Singh, Singh, Ibrahim, & Hashim, 2011; Silva et al, 2010). The application of composted tannery sludge has been reported to
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