ISHS Acta Horticulturae 573: International Symposium on Techniques to Control Salination for Horticultural Productivity
SEWAGE SLUDGE USE AS A HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATUM IN TAGETE PATULA SEED GERMINATION |
| Authors: | D.M.C. Nascimento, J.M.C. Brito, C.A.C. Guerrero, L.P.C. Dionísio |
| Keywords: | Sewage sludge, peat, Tagete patula, chemical and microbiological analyses, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia, Enterobius vermicularis |
| Abstract:
The objective of this work was to study the use of sewage sludge (SS) as a substitute of peat, in seed germination. The experiment was carried out with Tagete patula seedling, an ornamental plant, by mixing different rates SS with two different peats: a fertilised peat - FP -, and a non-fertilised peat - NFP. Different rates of SS/NFP, and SS/ FP were prepared and the treatments were: 100% NFP and FP; 80% NFP and FP with 20% SS; 60% NFP and FP with 40% SS; 40% NFP and FP with 60% SS; 20% NFP and FP with 80% SS; and 100% SS. In the experiment, the days of germination, the stem diameters and the plant heights were determined on the day of transplantation. Chemical properties of [(pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and heavy metals)] the different substrata mixtures were determined before and after the experiment. The results were found in agreement with the European Union standard regulations. Nematoda eggs and larvae and protozoa cysts were studied in SS samples. Results showed that 80% FP with 20% SS treatment produced the highest plants of Tagete patula and seeds germinated faster in 100% SS treatment. The data were statistically analysed by ANOVA and comparative analyses of the means were performed by Duncan test using the SPSS Programme. | |
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