Obtaining edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers from sewage sludge using fermentative processes. Short-time effects on soil biochemical properties

Environ Technol. 2019 Jan;40(3):399-406. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1393016. Epub 2017 Oct 28.

Abstract

In this manuscript, we study the manufacture and effect on soils of different edaphic biostimulants/biofertilizers (BS) obtained from sewage sludge using Bacillus licheniformis as biological tool. These BS consist of different combinations of organic matter, bacteria and enzymes that were subjected to several treatments. These BS were applied in soil in order to observe their influence on the biochemical properties (enzymatic activities and ergosterol content). Dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, phosphatase activities and ergosterol content were measured at different incubation days. Only dehydrogenase activity and ergosterol content were significantly stimulated after the application of BS1 and BS4. Rest of the extracellular activities were not stimulated probably because B. licheniformis practically has digested all organic substrates during fermentation process.

Keywords: Sewage sludge; edaphic biostimulant/biofertilizer; fermentation process; soil biochemical properties.

MeSH terms

  • Fermentation
  • Sewage
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Soil Pollutants*
  • Soil*

Substances

  • Sewage
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants