Abstract
The research was conducted to assess the effect of municipal sewage fertilization on the contents of microelements and exogenous amino acids in grain of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The investigations were conducted as a field experiment in the years 2005-2007 on the silt loam soil classified as Stagnic Gleysol. The experimental design comprised 5 treatments of fertilization in four replications: unfertilized control (0), mineral materials (M), pig manure (PM), municipal sewage sludge from mechanical-biological treatment plant (SS1) and municipal sewage sludge from biological treatment plant (SS2). On the basis of obtained results it was stated that difficult access of plants to nitrogen supplied with sewage sludge may considerably determine the crop yield and its quality, particularly in the first year after the fertilizers application. Applied doses of sewage sludge did not affect significantly the contents of analyzed microelements or exogenous amino acids. Irrespective of applied fertilization, the microelements which reduced fodder value of spring wheat were copper and manganese, whereas protein concentrations were determined by lysine content.
Highlights
Balanced fertilization is one of the crucial elements of sustainable agriculture
The difference between the lowest grain yield obtained after the application of pig manure (4445 kg dry matter (DM) ha-1) and the greatest quantity of wheat grain yield obtained as result of mineral fertilization (4979 kg DM ha-1) was slightly over 500 kg DM ha-1
In the third year of the experiment greater yields of spring wheat grain were gathered from the pig manure (PM) treatment (5390 kg DM ha-1), in comparison with the yields from the treatment where wheat was fertilized only with mineral fertilizers (4305 kg DM ha-1)
Summary
Balanced fertilization is one of the crucial elements of sustainable agriculture. Rational management of nutrients allows maintaining and gradually increasing yield forming potential of agricultural soils. Not all doubts concerning environmental and agricultural utilization of municipal sewage sludge have been clarified (Chaudri et al, 2001; Sastre et al, 2001; Korbulewsky et al, 2002; Gondek, 2006a). The tendency to manage currently existing and produced sewage sludge in agriculture has been considered as the closest to the natural ecosystem in which producers’ waste substances become substrate for reducers and consumers (Ahmad et al, 2006; Mohammad & Athamneh, 2004). It is justified because of recycling organic substance, nutrients and microelements to the circulation. Sewage sludge is a material enriched with substances or elements, such as trace elements which may pose a hazard for the cleanliness of the soil environment and plant quality (Lavado et al, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
