Abstract
The effect of two different composts of urban sewage sludge was investigated for the establishment of three different plant species (ryegrass, tomato and ahipa) on a mine soil (Alquife, SE Spain). The treatments consisted in a non-amended mine soil, and mine soils amended with composted sewage sludge (CSL) or composted sewage sludge with olive prune wastes (CLV) at 2, 5 and 10% (w/w). Different soil and plant parameters were measured. Soil pH was slightly modified but soil conductivity and soil organic C increased with compost addition and remained constant along incubation. Soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity increased more when amended with CSL than with CLV. At the end of the incubation period a decrease in enzyme activities was measured with increasing CSL doses suggesting a possible toxic effect of CSL above 5%. The plant species responded differently to both composts. In ahipa, the treatments did neither affect the leaf photosynthetic pigments nor the plant growth. In tomato and ryegrass, the 2% dose improved biomass but at 10% increased plant mortality and inhibited plant growth. Composted sewage sludge (≤5%) appeared to be the best solution when used as soil conditioner for improving plant establishment in this mine soil.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
