Evaluation of sewage sludge as natural soil conditioner under saline irrigation water

Abstract EN

A filed experiment was conducted at Ras Sudr experimental station to find out the effect of application rate and method of sewage sludge on calcareous soil properties and wheat yield under saline irrigation water.

Two rates (10 and 20 ton / fed) of sewage sludge applied with two methods; surface and subsurface (0-10 cm) and (10-20 cm), respectively.

The results indicated that increasing application rate of sewage sludge increased soil E.

C values, O.

M and available N, P, K, F, Mn, and Zn.

The rate of increment differed from one nutrient to another ; however the highest value of each nutrient were found with the higher application rate of sludge.

Results showed that application of sewage sludge increased water stable aggregates.

Whereas the Aggregation Index (AI), structure coefficient (SC) and Hydraulic conductivity (K) increased with increasing application rate.

In contrast the bulk density was decreased.

The dry matter yields of wheat were significantly increased depending upon the rate / or the method of sewage sludge application under saline irrigation water.

Mixing the highest rate (20 ton / fed) of sludge with the surface of layer (0-10 cm) calcareous soil was the best treatment in this respect.

This is reflected on significant increases in the of soil properties and macro, micro nutrients concentrations of grains and straw.

Therefore, it is good enough to mix the sludge with the surface layer of 0-10 cm of calcareous soil to ensure better distribution of the sludge manure and to obtain high quantity and quality of the grown plants, when using low quality water in irrigation.