SEWAGE SLUDGE COMPOST'S CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ON CROP GROWTH AND SOIL PROPERTIES

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 28; no. 5; p. 462
• Main Authors: Bevacqua, Robert F, Mellano, Valerie J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.1993
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.28.5.462f

Onion ( Allium cepa cv. Spanish Sweet Utah), lettuce ( Lactuca sativa cv. Black Seeded Simpson), snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus cv. Sonnet Yellow), and turf ( Festuca arundinacea cv. Marathon) were grown twice annually (spring and fall) on a San Emigdio sandy loam (course-loamy, mixed calcareous thermic, Typic Xerorthents) soil for two years that was treated with a cumulative total of 0, 37 and 74 MT/ha of sewage sludge compost from San Diego. The soil received two compost treatments each year and crops were planted within a week of compost incorporation. Crop growth was monitored and the results of the fourth or final planting will be presented. Seedlings of onion, snapdragon and lettuce transplanted to compost treated plots displayed more vigorous establishment than those in the control plots. Compost treatments produced higher yields of onion, turf and lettuce. Snapdragon yield was not affected by compost treatment. Significant changes in pH, CM, EC, and various nutrients were noted upon the analysis of the soil.