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) was cultivated under field conditions on an Ultisol. The experiment was evaluated twice (from October 2002 to August 2003 - 2003/2004 growing season and October 2003 to October 2004 - 2004/05 growing season). Eight treatments were tested: (a) control; (b) mineral fertilization (120 kg ha-1 N + 150 kg ha-1 K2O); (c) LE + 0N, incorporated into soil soon after application (ISA); (d) LE + 0N, incorporated into soil 60 days after application (IS60A); (e) LE + 60 kg ha-1 N (ISA); (f) LE + 60 kg ha-1 N (IS60A); (g) LE + 120 kg ha-1 N (ISA); and (h) LE + 120 kg ha-1 N (IS60A). The SS was obtained by an aerobic-biological based process and application rates were calculated considering N mineralization to supply 120 kg ha-1 N. SS application resulted in organic nitrogen increments in the two study periods in the 0-20 cm layer only. An increase in soil inorganic N (N-NO3- + N-NH4+) was observed with N fertilization in the 20-40 cm layer in 2003/04 and in 0-20 and 20-40 cm in 2004/05. SS application resulted in a higher stalk production of around 27 %, compared to the treatments without SS. The sugarcane sucrose content expressed as recoverable total sugar (RTS) was statistically greater due to SS application in the 2004/05 growing season. In this case, no differences were observed between the addition of 60 or 120 kg ha-1 mineral N.
biosolid; nitrate; ammonium; sugarcane ratoon
