Soil microbial attributes treated with composting of sewage sludge

The use of sludge composting in agricultural areas alters the microbial functions. In this context it is necessary to evaluate the impact of composting addition on microbial activities in the soil. This study evaluated the alteration of microbial attributes of a soil fertilized with sewage sludge compost by measuring the CO2 release rates and counting bacteria and fungi numbers. This experiment was conducted in laboratory using respirometric jars that contained samples of soil mixed with different doses of compost: 0; 20; 40; 60 and 80 Mg ha super( -1), and CO2 release was quantified daily during the 28 days of incubation when the samples were removed from the jars and bacteria and fungi quantities were counted. The treatments corresponding to each dose of the composting were arranged in completely randomized design with four replications. The CO2 release and the quantity of bacteria and fungi increased with additional doses of the compound. This occurred as a result of supplying energetic substrate and nutrients from the compound. The CO2 released measurements indicated that compound above 20 Mg ha super( -1) has significant impact on soil microbial activity.