The sludge and manure effects on the growth of citrus trees

The objective of this study was to evaluate the agricultural use of organic solid wastes. Hence two types of wastes were selected to be applied in a citrus orchard: the sewage sludge (the most common on the urban world) and the manure (the most common on the agricultural fields). The sewage sludge i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development 2010-11, Vol.6 (11), p.721-730
Main Authors: Costa, Manuel, Beltrao, Jose, De Brito, Joao Carrasco, Neves, Maria Alcinda, Guerrero, Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citrus sinensis
Fertilizing
Manure
Orchards
Sewage sludge
Sludge
Soil (material)
Trees
Wastes
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Summary:The objective of this study was to evaluate the agricultural use of organic solid wastes. Hence two types of wastes were selected to be applied in a citrus orchard: the sewage sludge (the most common on the urban world) and the manure (the most common on the agricultural fields). The sewage sludge is a residue originated from the wastewater treatment - the solid phase. Its application as an organic fertilizer may represent an alternative to the pollution consequences in nature. The effect of sludge and manure application on the growth of orange trees (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osb.), established on a Fluvisol, was evaluated in relation to the biometric parameters - number of leaves per tree, diameter of the trunk, leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf chlorophyll (estimated by using SPAD values). In general, the citrus plants response to the application of sewage sludge and of manure was positive, compared to the control trees. The application of the manure and especially the sewage sludge (once this fertilizer/soil amendment is available in larger amounts) may be a profitable alternative application to the use of mineral fertilizers and to other organic soil amendments. Moreover, as the other possible destinations of sewage sludge (landfill or incineration) are associated to potential environmental problems, its agricultural use when correctly applied, represents a better alternative. The application of this solid wastes, as a clean and safe technique to preserve the environment contamination, can also be successfully used as an organic amendment of citrus orchards.
ISSN:1790-5079