Greenhouse evaluation of struvite and sludges from municipal wastewater treatment works as phosphorus sources for plants

J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Oct 3;55(20):8206-12. doi: 10.1021/jf071563y. Epub 2007 Sep 19.

Abstract

Sewage sludge obtained by a conventional aerobic activated sludge process (CSS), P-rich sewage sludge from an enhanced biological P removal process (PRS), and struvite (MgNH 4PO 4 x 6H 2O) recovered from an anaerobic digester supernatant using a low-grade MgO byproduct from the calcination of natural magnesite as a Mg source (STR) were evaluated as P sources for plant growth. For this purpose, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using a P-deficient loamy sand soil and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) as the test crop. The P sources were applied at rates equivalent to 0, 9, 17, 26, 34, and 44 mg/kg P. Single superphosphate (SUP) was used as reference for comparison with the other P sources. The results obtained indicated that STR was as effective as SUP in increasing the dry matter yield and supplying P to ryegrass. Compared to SUP and STR, PRS and especially CSS exhibited less agronomic effectiveness as P sources, which may be attributed, at least partially, to greater soil P fixation because of the larger amount of Fe incorporated with these materials.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods*
  • Fertilizers
  • Lolium / growth & development*
  • Lolium / metabolism
  • Magnesium Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Phosphates / administration & dosage*
  • Phosphorus / administration & dosage*
  • Sewage / chemistry*
  • Struvite

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Magnesium Compounds
  • Phosphates
  • Sewage
  • Phosphorus
  • Struvite