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Effects of Dried Sewage Sludge on Barley Genotypes¹

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted at Mesa, Ariz. in 1976 and 1977 to compare the growth and grain yield of 16 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes when grown with dried sewage sludge and inorganic fertilizers from commercial sources.

The genotypes were grown on a Laveen loam soil, which is a member of the coarse-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Calciorthids. At planting in December of each year, three fertilizer treatments were applied: (i) recommended rates of N, P, and K for barley in Arizona, (ii) 10 t/ha of dried sewage sludge, and (iii) inorganic fertilizers to provide N, P, and K in amounts equal to those applied in the sewage sludge.

Barley genotypes evaluated for vegetative growth and grain yield responded similarly when fertilized with dried sewage sludge and inorganic fertilizers from commercial sources. Regardless of the fertilizer treatments, analysis of variance showed highly significant differences between genotypes. Fertilizer-genotype interactions did not follow a uniform pattern to make a conclusive ranking of means. Results indicate that dried sewage sludge may be as valuable a fertilizer source as commercial fertilizers. Additional research using various sludge rates may be necessary to investigate the maximum fertilizer response potential of specific barley genotypes for the efficient use of sewage sludge in commercial barley production.

Key Words: pollution • plant nutrients • soil amendments • heavy metals • varieties • cultivars

¹ Contribution from the Arizona Agric. Exp. Stn., University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721. Approved for publication as Arizona Agric. Exp. Stn. Contribution no. 3561.

² Agronomist, Dep. of Plant Sciences; Research Associate, Dep. of Plant Sciences; and Soil Scientist, Dep. of Soils, Water, Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, respectively.

Received for publication January 30, 1982.