Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Oxisols after Sewage Sludge Application for 16 Years

ABSTRACT The large production of sewage sludge (SS), especially in large urban centers, has led to the suggestion of using this waste as fertilizer in agriculture. The economic viability of this action is great and contributes to improve the environment by cycling the nutrients present in this waste, including high contents of organic matter and plant nutrients. This study evaluated the chemical and biochemical properties of Dystrophic and EutroferricLatossolos Vermelhos (Oxisols) under corn and after SS application at different rates for 16 years. The field experiment was carried out in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil, using a randomized block design with four treatments and five replications. Treatments consisted of control - T1 (mineral fertilization, without SS application), 5 Mg ha-1 SS - T2, 10 Mg ha-1 SS - T3, and 20 Mg ha-1 SS - T4 (dry weight base). The data were submitted to variance analysis and means were compared by the Duncan test at 5 %. Sewage sludge increased P extracted by resin in both theLatossolos Vermelhos, Dystrophic and Eutroferric, and the organic matter content in the Dystrophic Latossolo Vermelho. The waste at the rate 20 Mg ha-1 on a dry weight basis promoted increases in acid phosphatase activity in Eutroferric Latossolo Vermelho, basal respiration and metabolic quotient in DystrophicLatossolo Vermelho. The rate 20 Mg ha-1 sewage sludge on a dry weight basis did not alter the soil microbial biomass in both the Latossolos Vermelhos; in addition, it improved corn yields without inducing any symptoms of phytotoxicity or nutrient deficiency in the plants. RESUMO A grande produção de lodo de esgoto (LE), principalmente em grandes centros urbanos, tem sugerido a disposição desse resíduo como fertilizante na agricultura. Trata-se de uma ação de grande viabilidade econômica, além de contribuir para melhorar o meio ambiente pela ciclagem dos nutrientes presentes nesse resíduo, que possui elevado teor de matéria orgânica e de nutrientes para as plantas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar atributos químicos e bioquímicos de dois Latossolos Vermelhos, um Eutroférrico (LVef) e outro Distrófico (LVd), cultivados com milho, após aplicação do LE em diferentes doses por 16 anos. O experimento foi instalado em condições de campo em Jaboticabal, São Paulo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1 = testemunha (fertilização mineral, sem aplicação de LE), T2 = 5