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Nutrition and Growth of Lafoensia pacari Seedlings on Sewage Sludge

ABSTRACT

Seeking alternatives for the correct disposal of sewage sludge from sewage treatment plants, the purpose of this study was to assess the use of sewage sludge substrates for Lafoensia pacari seedling production and to compare seedling growth rates to those on commercial substrate. To this end, three different levels of fertilizer (0, 2.7 and 4.0 g dm-3) were tested in three types of substrates: (1) commercial substrate, consisting of composted pine bark and vermiculite, and (2) composted substrate based on crushed tree pruning and sewage sludge in 3:1 (v:v) ratio and (3) 2:1 (v:v) ratio. Seedling height, diameter, dry biomass (leaves, roots and branches), concentrations and amounts of N, P and K in leaves were measured. High seedling growth rates and nutrient content were obtained when composted sewage sludge was used, showing significant differences in most treatments when compared to commercial substrate values. The 2:1 composted sewage sludge plus 2.7 g dm-3 of fertilizer presented the best results.

Keywords:
nursery; macronutrients; biosolids; residue.

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