Effect of Domestic Wastewater Sewage Sludge Applications on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Tomato Plant

Abstract

Use of sewage sludge in agriculture is an alternative disposal technique for this waste. Accordingly, the effects of using the sludge obtained from Sivas Waste Water Treatment Plant in different doses (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% (w/w) and chemical fertilization) on the yield and nutrient concentration of tomato plants were investigated. The study was carried out with three replications according to the experimental pattern of randomized plots in the plastic pots with the capacity of 3 kg under the greenhouse conditions of Plant and Animal Production Department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University. It has been determined that the weight of the plants roots, stems and green components dry matter increases due to the increasing sewage sludge application and the highest efficiency is in the sewage sludge application of 5%. In addition, it has been determined that the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) which are among the macro nutrients, tend to increase depending on the increasing dose of the sewage sludge. The concentrations of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) which are among the micro nutrients, increased with the increasing amount of sludge. In this context, it is thought that the sludge can be used in plant breeding, provided that it falls within the boundaries of the legal legislation.