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Residual Effect of Liquid Sewage Sludge on Coastal Bermudagrass and Soil Chemical Properties¹

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the residual effect of liquid sewage sludge on soil and sludge crust properties and on yield and elemental composition of Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) grown on a Cecil sandy clay loam (Typic Hapludult). Several applications of sewage sludge were made in 1969 and 1970 at total rates of 6.9, 13.8, 20.0, and 40.0 cm. A chemical fertilizer (NPK) treatment consisting of a total of 1,198 301, and 695 kg/ha of N, P, and K, respectively, from 1969 to 1973, and a control treatment were also included. In 1970 plots were split and 6.7 metric tons/ha of dolomitic limestone were broadcast on one subplot from each main plot. In 1973 an additional 4.5 metric tons/ha of dolomitic limestone were broadcast on the limed subplots which had received the two highest sludge rates.

Yields for 1971 and 1973 showed no detrimental effect from sludge application. In 1973 treatments had no significant effect on concentrations of P, Mg, Cu, Fe, Cd, Cr, or Pb in forage except for the NPK treatment. The K concentration of forage was below the deficiency level (1.5%) except for forage receiving the NPK treatment. The Ca concentration in forage from sludge and NPK plots was significantly higher than the concentration in forage from control plots. Plant concentration of Mn was reduced and Zn concentration was increased by sludge treatment. Lime decreased the Zn concentration in forage from plots receiving high sludge rates.

The depth of the sludge crust remaining on the soil surface increased with sludge rate up to 3.8 cm for the highest rate. Lime applications decreased concentrations of P, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Cd in the crust, but only Zn in the soil beneath the crust.

Key Words: heavy metals • micronutrients • lime • sludge crust

¹ Contribution from the Univ. of Georgia Agric. Exp. Sta., College Station, Athens, GA 30602.

² Former Graduate Research Assistants. Present address of senior author: Agronomy Dep., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana, Ill.

³ Professor, Agron. Dep., Univ. of Georgia.

Received for publication June 16, 1975.