The available N in sewage sludge-amended soils is one of the restrictive factors for residue application in great amounts. This criterion must be considered in regulations for agricultural use of sewage sludge to avoid environmental pollution of soil and water bodies. The availability of mineral N from native soil organic-N is not considered in the calculation of the maximum rate of sewage sludge application, when these residues are applied for the first time, and this procedure is usual in the […]

Sewage sludge (SS) may be used as a nutrient source in agricultural soils, resulting in environmental and economical benefits, provided that specific technical criteria are applied. Unlike field conditions, residue application rates are estimated based on N mineralization trials under optimum temperature and humidity conditions. The objective of this study was to verify whether it is necessary an addition of mineral N (0, 60 and 120 kg ha-1 N) to sewage-sludge (14 and 16 t ha-1, dry weight) applied to sugarcane ratoon. Sugarcane (RB855536) […]

The amount of silicon accumulated by plants depends on the concentration of available silicon, and this of the soil pH. Silicon absorption and accumulation in grasses is possibly associated with the rhizosphere pH. This study evaluated the effect of rhizosphere pH on Si absorption and accumulation in upland rice (Epagri 109 vr.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a 5 x 2 factorial design. The five treatments (TR) consisted of a single N dose (200 mg kg-1) […]

This study aimed to evaluate total N, N-NH4+ and N-NO3– concentrations and pH in columns of alkalinized anaerobic sewage sludge and in percolated liquid, in simulation of real storage conditions. The experiment was conducted in Curitiba – Paraná state, in Cfb climate and rainfall of 197 mm during the incubation period (48 days). The tested factors were: 3 sludge types (covered alkalinized sludge – LCC; uncovered alkalinized sludge – LCD; and uncovered raw sludge – LBD), 4 incubation periods (0; 15; 27; and 48 days) […]

Two split root trials were carried out in nutrient solution to evaluate nitrogen accumulation as a function of phosphorus supply applied in partial contact to maize roots. After a seven day growth period in complete nutrient solution, maize seedlings were transplanted to joint pots containing 1.6 L of nutrient solution. Roots were equally shared between the pots. In the first trial, two phosphorus levels (0.02 mmol L-1 and 0.1 mmol L-1) and phosphorus and nitrogen placement were evaluated. In the […]

The C and N mineralization potential of 20 soils from Pernambuco, Brazil (10 from the humid area and 10 from the semi-arid) was determined in a greenhouse experiment, conducted from January to October 1987. Samples of 50 g from 0-20 and 20-40 cm depth layers were incubated. The released C-CO2 and the accumulated mineral N (NO3– and NH4+) were periodically measured during 20 and 4 weeks, respectively. The mineralized amounts varied much among soils. In spite of this they were […]