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Sewage sludge compost in zoysia grass sod production

Lodo de esgoto compostado na produção de grama esmeralda

Abstract

This study evaluated whether the use of composted sewage sludge in zoysia grass sod production can partially or completely substitute fertilization based on urea. The experiment was conducted on a sod farm located in Itapetininga, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with five replications and experimental plots of 5 m2 in a 2x6 factorial scheme. The first factor was the method of application (single or split), and the second factor was composted sewage sludge fertilization and two controls (no fertilization and a standard dose of conventional fertilizer). The conventional fertilizer (urea) dose corresponds to 300 kg N ha-1 and the sewage compost doses correspond to 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N ha-1. The experiment began with the liming of the total area at 60 days after the previous harvest of zoysia grass sod. Three methods were used to evaluate sod production: soil cover rate, green color intensity, and leaf analysis. At 212 days after the beginning of the experiment, the compost treatment of 30 Mg ha-1 (300 kg ha-1 of N), applied in a single dose, allowed for complete sod formation (100% soil cover rate).

Keywords:
nitrogen; organic fertilization; soil cover rate; SPAD; turfgrass.

Resumo

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar se o uso de lodo de esgoto compostado na produção de grama esmeralda pode substituir parcial ou totalmente a adubação com uréia. O experimento foi conduzido em área de produção de grama, localizada em Itapetininga-SP. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e parcelas experimentais de 5 m2 em esquema fatorial 2x6, sendo o primeiro fator a forma de aplicação, parcelada e não parcelada e o segundo fator a adubação com lodo de esgoto compostado e duas testemunhas (sem adubação e dose usual de adubação inorgânica). A dose de adubo inorgânico foi correspondente a 300 kg N ha-1 e as doses de lodo de esgoto compostado foram correspondentes a 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg N ha-1. O início do experimento ocorreu 60 dias após a colheita dos tapetes de grama esmeralda, com a realização de calagem em área total. Foram utilizados três métodos para avaliar a produção do tapete de grama esmeralda: taxa de cobertura do solo, intensidade de cor verde e análise foliar. Aos 212 dias após o início do experimento, a adubação orgânica com lodo de esgoto compostado, na dose de 30 Mg ha-1 (300 kg ha-1 de N), aplicado de forma não parcelada, permitiu formação do tapete de grama (100% taxa de cobertura do solo).

Palavras-chave:
adubação orgânica; grama; nitrogênio; SPAD; taxa de cobertura do solo.

1. INTRODUCTION

The use of in natura or composted sewage sludge as a soil conditioner and source of nutrients for agricultural crops is an alternative disposal method for such waste that is used in several countries (Singh and Agrawal, 2008SINGH, R. P.; AGRAWAL, M. Potential benefits and risks of land application of sewage sludge. Waste Management, v. 28, p. 347-358, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12...
; Corradi et al., 2016CORRADI, I. C.; DE MATOS, A. T.; DE MATOS, M. P.; BORGES, A. C.; AQUINO, J. M. G. L. Degradação do lodo de esgoto sanitário compostado quando disposto no solo. Engenharia Agrícola, v. 36, n. 5, 2016.). In Brazil, its use is regulated by Conama Resolution 375 (Conama, 2006CONSELHO NACIONAL DO MEIO AMBIENTE - CONAMA (Brasil). Resolução n. 375, de 29 de agosto de 2006. Diário Oficial [da] União, seção 1, 30 agosto 2006. ), which limits the levels of acceptable pathogenicity for Class A sludge, thus making direct use of sewage sludge in agriculture unviable. However, it is legally possible to compost the sludge by mixing it with a carbon source to produce a Class D Compound Organic Fertilizer Product, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) Federal Decree 4.954 of January 14, 2004 and Normative Instructions 23 from 08/31/2005 and 27 from 05/06/2006.

The composting process not only transforms the biodegradable material into humus, but also reduces and deactivates pathogens and reduces the concentration of heavy metals, thus making it adequate for use as a fertilizer to provide nutrients to the soil (Kiehl, 1985KIEHL, E. J. Fertilizantes orgânicos. Piracicaba: Ceres,1985. 492 p.; Paredes Filho, 2011PAREDES FILHO, M. V. Compostagem de lodo de esgoto para uso agrícola. Revista Agroambiental, v. 3, n. 3, p.73-80, 2011.; Rashad et al., 2010RASHAD, F. M.; SALEH, W. D.; MOSELHY, M. A. Bioconversion of rice straw and certain agro-industrial wastes to amendments for organic farming systems: 1. Composting, quality, stability and maturity indices. Bioresource Technology, v. 101, n. 15, p. 5952-5960, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.02.103
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010....
).

The use of composted sewage sludge in the production of sod grass has previously been analyzed. For example, Angle et al. (1981)ANGLE, J. S.; WOLF, D. C.; HALL, J. R. Turfgrass growth aided by sludge compost. BioCycle, v. 22, p. 40-43, 1981. showed improvements related to quality, post-harvest survival, and the production system for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Other studies corroborate these results (Schnell et al., 2009SCHNELL, R.W.; VIETOR, D. M.; WHITE, R. H.; PROVIN, T. L.; MUNSTER, C. L. Effects of composted biosolids and nitrogen on turfgrass establishment, sod properties, and nutrient export at harvest. HortScience, v. 44, p. 1746 -1750, 2009.; Tesfamariam et al., 2009TESFAMARIAM, T. H.; ANNANDALE, J. G.; STEYN, J. M.; STIRZAKER, M. J. Exporting large volumes of municipal sewage sludge through turfgrass sod production. Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 38, p. 1320-1328, 2009. http://dx.di.org/10.2134/jeq2008.0397
http://dx.di.org/10.2134/jeq2008.0397...
; Griffith et al., 2017GRIFFITH, S.; BERO, N.; STIER, J.; OBEAR, G.; RUIS, S.; SOLDAT, D. Biosolids as an Alternative Fertilizer for Kentucky Bluegrass Sod Production in Wisconsin. Crop Science, v. 57, Suppl1, p. S-227-S-237, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2016.05.0367
http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2016.05...
).

Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica) is the main species of grass cultivated in Brazil, and it currently covers approximately 80% of the total production area (Grama Legal National Association, 2017GRAMA LEGAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Produção de grama. 2017. Available in: http//www.gramalegal.com Access: March 10, 2018.
http//www.gramalegal.com...
). The species is usually cultivated for use in landscaping projects, sports fields and along highways due to its resistance to drought and trampling, rapid rooting, and its adaptability to a tropical climate (Turfgrass Producers International, 2002TURFGRASS PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL. Turfgrass: functional, recreational e aesthetic. Turf Resource Center, 2002. Available in: http//www.turfgrass.sod.org/trc/statistics.html Access: March 10, 2018.
http//www.turfgrass.sod.org/trc/statisti...
; Gurgel, 2003GURGEL, R. A. G. Principais espécies e variedades de grama. In: SIMPOSIO SOBRE GRAMADOS, 1., 2003, Botucatu. Produção, implantação e manutenção: anais[...] Botucatu: UNESP, Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, 2003.).

Because of its stoloniferous-rhizomatous growth habit, zoysia grass shows high resistance to trampling and an elevated rate of soil cover. According to Li et al. (2011)LI, D.; FANG, W.; HAN, L. Nitrogen fertilization influences shear strength and quality of Kentucky bluegrass sod grown on clay. Agronomy Journal, v. 103, p. 751-755, 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.0470
http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.047...
, rhizomes and stolons linked to nitrogen fertilization are responsible for the resistance and quality of the sod.

Nitrogen (N) is the most important nutrient in the production of zoysia grass sod and is directly associated with shoot growth, increased green coloration, resistance, and soil cover rate. Although N demand varies with soil type, previous studies have shown that the best responses occur with 408 kg N ha-1 per year for zoysia grass (Godoy et al., 2007GODOY, L. J. G. et al. Doses de nitrogênio e potássio na produção de grama esmeralda. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, v. 31, n. 5, p. 1326-1332, 2007.) and 425 kg N ha-1 per year for Kentucky bluegrass (Griffith et al., 2017GRIFFITH, S.; BERO, N.; STIER, J.; OBEAR, G.; RUIS, S.; SOLDAT, D. Biosolids as an Alternative Fertilizer for Kentucky Bluegrass Sod Production in Wisconsin. Crop Science, v. 57, Suppl1, p. S-227-S-237, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2016.05.0367
http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2016.05...
).

Composted sewage sludge can present a N concentration of 10 g kg-1 based on dry matter. As such, it has the potential to fully satisfy the demand for this nutrient without the need for synthetic fertilizers and minerals (Singh and Agrawal, 2008SINGH, R. P.; AGRAWAL, M. Potential benefits and risks of land application of sewage sludge. Waste Management, v. 28, p. 347-358, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.12...
; 2009SINGH, R. P.; AGRAWAL, M. Use of sewage sludge as fertilizer supplement for Abelmoschus esculentus plants: physiological, biochemical and growth responses. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, v. 3, p. 91-106, 2009.; Mehrotra et al., 2016MEHROTRA, A.; KUNDU, K.; SREEKRISHNAN, T. R. Decontamination of heavy metal laden sewage sludge with simultaneous solids reduction using thermophilic sulfur and ferrous oxidizing species. Journal of Environmental Management, v. 167, p. 228-235, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.1...
) in the production of zoysia grass sod. In addition to being rich in N, and because it presents stabilized organic matter, organic compost has a direct impact on the physical and biological properties of the soil, since part of the applied biosolids will remain in the soil after the sod harvest (Schnell et al., 2009SCHNELL, R.W.; VIETOR, D. M.; WHITE, R. H.; PROVIN, T. L.; MUNSTER, C. L. Effects of composted biosolids and nitrogen on turfgrass establishment, sod properties, and nutrient export at harvest. HortScience, v. 44, p. 1746 -1750, 2009.; De Maria et al., 2007 DE MARIA, I. C.; KOCSSI, M. A.; DECHEN, S. C. F. Agregação do solo em área que recebeu lodo de Esgoto. Bragantia, v. 66, n. 2, p. 291-298, 2007.).

In this context, this study aims to verify the effects of fertilization with composted sewage sludge on zoysia grass production, with the goal of partially or completely replacing the use of urea fertilization. Thus, herein we test four doses of this organic fertilizer.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was performed from April 2015 to December 2015, in a zoysia grass sod farm (23º91' south latitude and 48º03' west longitude of Greenwich; 636 m altitude), in Itapetininga, São Paulo State, Brazil. The soil in the area is classified as Red Dystrophic Latosol (EMBRAPA, 2006EMBRAPA. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Solos-CNPS. Sistema brasileiro de classificação de solos. Brasília: Embrapa-SPI; Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa-CNPS, 2006. 306 p.) and the climate is classified as Cfa (subtropical) based on the Köppen-Geiger System (Peel et al. 2007), with cold, dry winters, and hot, humid summers (Cunha and Martins, 2009CUNHA, A. R.; MARTINS, D. Classificação climática para os municípios de Botucatu e São Manuel, SP. Irriga, v. 14, n. 1, p. 1-11, 2009. https://doi.org/10.15809/irriga.2009v14n1p1-11
https://doi.org/10.15809/irriga.2009v14n...
).

We used a randomized block experimental design with five replications and experimental plots of 5 m2 in a 2x6 factorial scheme, with the first factor including two different methods of application (single or split application), and the second factor being type of fertilization treatment (Figure 1).

Figure 1.
Graphical schema of experiment.

To assess the effects of fertilization on zoysia grass sod production, the treatments included: urea; sewage sludge compost (SSC) in four different doses (10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1 of compost sewage sludge, dry weight), based on the requirement of N (100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N ha-1); and a control (no fertilizer). Four treatments received a single application of the SCC fertilizer and the other treatments included two applications: 50% of the SSC at the beginning of the experiment and a second application after reaching a soil cover rate of 50%. The sewage sludge compost came from the sewage treatment facility in Jundiaí, São Paulo State (Table 1).

Table 1.
Chemical composition of the sewage sludge compost.

Liming of the total area was conducted by applying 1.2 t ha-1 of dolomitic limestone (PRNT 95%) and was based on the soil base saturation of the experimental area. At 60 days after the previous turfgrass sod harvest, the single application fertilization was applied. The first application of the split application was also applied at that time with the second application occurring at 127 days after the first, when the soil cover rate (SCR) reached 50%. In the plots treated with urea, a dose of 300 kg N ha-1 was given in a single application, corresponding to 670 kg ha-1, at 25 days after the beginning of the experiment.

Three methods were used to evaluate zoysia grass sod production: soil cover rate (SCR), green color intensity (GCI), and leaf nitrogen content analysis.

Soil cover rate (SCR) was assessed through a digital image. The images were taken parallel to the lawn surface with a 3.0-megapixel digital camera coupled to a lightbox, similar to that described in Peterson et al. (2011)PETERSON, K.; SHONKWILER ARNOLD, K.; BREMER, D. Custom Light Box for Digital Image Turfgrass Analysis. K- State Turfgrass Research Report of Progress 1035, p. 89-91, 2011., which standardizes the lighting and the image area. Subsequently, images were analyzed in Sigma Scan software and the SCR percentage was obtained by counting green pixels.

Green color intensity (GCI) was obtained using the non-destructive absorbance method in a portable Chlorophyll Meter, Soil and Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) Model 502 (Minolta Co., Osaka, Japan). Leaves were collected from each plot, placed in plastic bags, and stored in a Styrofoam box with ice for transportation to the laboratory. Shortly after arrival at the laboratory, the leaves were hydrated and a reading taken for each leaf, with 30 leaves analyzed per plot, to obtain an average value per treatment. SCR and GCI were measured at 45, 93, 127, and 156 days after application (DAA) of sewage sludge compost.

For the analysis of leaf nitrogen content, grass was cut in the plots and the shavings were ground and sent to the Plant Nutrition Laboratory in the Soils and Environmental Resources Department/Unesp, following a modified methodology based on Malavolta et al. (1997)MALAVOLTA, E.; VITTI, G. C.; OLIVEIRA, S. A. Avaliação do estado nutricional das plantas: princípios e aplicações. 2. ed. Piracicaba: POTAFOS, 1997. 317p.. Analyses were performed at 93 and 156 DAA of sewage sludge compost.

Data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression methods. Nitrogen dose effects were compared using Tukey’s test, with p = 0.05. Statistical analyses were performed using the software Minitab16.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Soil cover rate (SCR) of zoysia grass showed significant interaction between dose and application at only 45 and 156 DAA of composted sludge (p <0.05) (Table 2). According to Godoy et al. (2007)GODOY, L. J. G. et al. Doses de nitrogênio e potássio na produção de grama esmeralda. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, v. 31, n. 5, p. 1326-1332, 2007., soil cover rate is the first indicator in the formation of turfgrass sod.

Table 2.
Means and summary of analysis of variance of soil cover rate (SCR) (n=5).

Splitting the composted sludge into two applications showed no advantage compared to the single application at all sampling times for SCR. An explanation for this effect arises from the fact that a greater mass of organic matter in the soil retains a greater volume of water, especially during periods without rain. Another factor that may have contributed to this result is the period required for decomposition of the second portion of the sludge compound applied in November. The amount of time may not have been sufficient to release all nutrients. According to the nutrient evaluation conducted by Backes et al. (2013)BACKES, C.; SANTOS, A. J. M.; GODOY, L. J. G.; VILLAS BÔAS, R. L.; OLIVEIRA, M. R.; OLIVEIRA, F. C. Doses de lodo de esgoto compostado em produção de tapete de grama esmeralda imperial. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, v. 37, n. 5, p. 1402-1414, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832013000500029
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, 67% of the N is released within a period of up to 120 days. Meanwhile, Godoy et al. (2007)GODOY, L. J. G. et al. Doses de nitrogênio e potássio na produção de grama esmeralda. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, v. 31, n. 5, p. 1326-1332, 2007. note the need for basic fertilization for shoot development to begin.

The largest applied dose (40 Mg ha-1) provided a maximum coverage rate (SCR 100%) at 212 DAA. Backes et al. (2009)BACKES, C.; BULL, L.T.; GODOY, L. J. G.; VILLAS BÔAS, R. L.; LIMA, C. P.; PIRES, E. C. Uso de lodo de esgoto na produção de tapetes de grama esmeralda. Ciência Rural, v. 39, p. 1045-1050, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782009000400014
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, in their study to verify non-composted sewage sludge doses in zoysia grass sod production, found that a single application of 40 Mg ha-1 produced the maximum coverage rate at 165 DAA. Meanwhile, in a different study, Backes et al. (2013)BACKES, C.; SANTOS, A. J. M.; GODOY, L. J. G.; VILLAS BÔAS, R. L.; OLIVEIRA, M. R.; OLIVEIRA, F. C. Doses de lodo de esgoto compostado em produção de tapete de grama esmeralda imperial. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, v. 37, n. 5, p. 1402-1414, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832013000500029
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832013...
evaluated the effects of composted sewage sludge on the production of zoysiagrass and found that a dose of 46.8 Mg ha-1 produced the maximum SCR only at 380 DAA. These results suggest that the addition of a carbon source during the sewage sludge composting process dilutes the nutrients in the sludge, thus requiring a higher dose to reach the maximum SCR.

Plots that received syntetic fertilization (SF) showed a SCR of approximately 21%, 12%, 10% and 29% lower in comparison to the highest dose of applied sludge. Backes et al. (2013)BACKES, C.; SANTOS, A. J. M.; GODOY, L. J. G.; VILLAS BÔAS, R. L.; OLIVEIRA, M. R.; OLIVEIRA, F. C. Doses de lodo de esgoto compostado em produção de tapete de grama esmeralda imperial. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, v. 37, n. 5, p. 1402-1414, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832013000500029
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832013...
, comparing a dose of 48 Mg ha-1 of sludge with a control (no fertilization), showed a lower SCR by 61% and 65% at 45 and 130 DAA, respectively.

At 127 DAA, treatments with SF provided an SCR 2.2% greater than the highest dose of applied SSC, and at 156 DAA the highest SSC dose showed a 20% increase over IF (Figure 2). This result can be directly related to the effect of soil moisture, which favors the decomposition of organic matter and slows the release of nutrients with the application of the SSC in comparison to urea.

Figure 2.
Soil Cover Rate (SCR) for zoysia grass as a function of the sewage sludge compost doses, urea, and methods of application, at 156 days after application (DAA) of sludge compost.

Green color intensity (GCI), represented by the SPAD value, is directly related to the concentration of chlorophyll in the leaves, representing a higher production of carbohydrates and quick rooting of the sod after planting (Christians, 1998CHRISTIANS, N. E. Fundamental of turfgrass management. Chelsea: Arbor Press, 1998. 301p.). The doses of composted sewage sludge and the two methods of application significantly influenced the GCI at 45 and 93 days after application. At 127 DAA of composted sewage sludge, a significant effect was observed only for the applied doses (Table 3).

Table 3.
Means and summary of analysis of variance of green color intensity (GCI) (n=5).

At 45 DAA, GCI can be expressed as a linear model that increases with an increase in the applied sludge dose: (y1 = 27.83 + 0.23x, r2 = 0.99) and (y2 = 27.14 +0.09x, r2 = 0.90), split application and single application, respectively.

We also found that GCI at 45 days after application was greater in relation to the other evaluated time periods, due to a greater release of N until that date, corroborating the results found by Backes et al. (2010)BACKES, C.; BÔAS, V.; LYRA, R.; LIMA, C. P. D.; GODOY, L. J. G. D.; BÜLL, L. T. et al. Leaf nitrogen nutritional status of zoysia grass evaluated by nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll meter and digital image, in sewage sludge fertilized areas. Bragantia, v. 69, n. 3, p. 661-668, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010000300018
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. At 45 DAA, we observed green color indices ranging from 27.9 to 37 SPAD units, which supports the concept that beginning from a N deficiency situation there is a linear response of GCI with increasing doses (Fig. 2), related to increasing chlorophyll content of the grass (Carvalho et al., 2003CARVALHO, M. A. C. de; FURLANI JUNIOR, E.; ARF, O.; SÁ, M. E.; PAULINO, H. B.; BUZETTI, S. Doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio e teores foliares deste nutriente e de clorofila em feijoeiro. Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, v. 27, p. 445-450, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-06832003000300006
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-0683200300...
). Unlike the results observed for SCR, we found statistical differences between the treatments for doses and application method, with the highest values (35 and 37 SPAD) obtained with a single application of SSC for doses of 30 and 40 Mg ha-1, as shown in Table 3. As the GCI is correlated with levels of N, we can infer that with an applied dose of 30 Mg ha-1, the zoysia grass reached the maximum value of N, and this may indicate an optimal dose for this parameter.

The assessment at 156 DAA did not present statistically different results; however, it was possible to observe differences in soil cover (SCR, presented in Table 2) and, consequently, plant mass. This fact could have generated a uniformity in GCI results, since treatments with a greater dose of composted sludge showed increased plant growth. As such, N was diluted in the aerial part of the plant, which caused a decrease in concentration in comparison with the control or lower doses of SSC. Beard (1973)BEARD, J. B. Turfgrass: science and culture. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1973. 235 p. observed the effect of dilution on chlorophyll concentration when very high doses of N were used, leading to a reduced GCI.

GCI varied throughout the experiment, ranging from 27 to 37 SPAD. Our findings indicate that zoysia grass that received high doses of N achieved a GCI greater than 37 SPAD units at 90, 192, and 296 days after cutting (DAC). However, when no N was applied, the GCI ranged from 22.9 to 28.9 at 124, 192, and 296 DAC.

Our data suggest a significant interaction between dose and application for mean N leaf concentration at 93 and 156 days after application (Table 4).

Table 4.
Means and summary of analysis of variance of foliar leaf N concentration (n=5).

We observed a linear increase in the N concentration in leaf blades (y = 9.59 + 0.23x, R2 = 0.97), reaching a maximum value of 18.95 g kg-1 at 93 DAA with a single dose treatment of 40 Mg ha-1 composted sewage sludge (Table 4). Experiments performed in the field and in greenhouses, with the application of in natura and composted sewage sludge, also showed a linear increase in nitrogen concentration in leaf blades (Backes et al., 2010BACKES, C.; BÔAS, V.; LYRA, R.; LIMA, C. P. D.; GODOY, L. J. G. D.; BÜLL, L. T. et al. Leaf nitrogen nutritional status of zoysia grass evaluated by nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll meter and digital image, in sewage sludge fertilized areas. Bragantia, v. 69, n. 3, p. 661-668, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010000300018
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010...
; Tester, 1989TESTER, C. F. Tall fescue growth in greenhouse, growth chamber, and field plots amended with sludge compost and fertilizer. Soil Science, v. 148, p. 452-458, 1989.).

The maximum value found for N is slightly below the ideal range of 20 to 24 g kg-1, as suggested by Mills and Jones (1996)MILLS, H. A.; JONES, J. B. Jr. Plant analysis handbook II: a practical sampling, preparation, analysis and interpretation guide. Athens: MicroMacro, 1996. 456 p.. Backes et al. (2010)BACKES, C.; BÔAS, V.; LYRA, R.; LIMA, C. P. D.; GODOY, L. J. G. D.; BÜLL, L. T. et al. Leaf nitrogen nutritional status of zoysia grass evaluated by nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll meter and digital image, in sewage sludge fertilized areas. Bragantia, v. 69, n. 3, p. 661-668, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010000300018
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010...
, studying the effects of in natura sewage sludge, found a N concentration of 28 g kg-1 at 105 DAA.

At 156 DAA, with the dose of 40 Mg ha-1, we found a N concentration in the leaf blade of 15.03 g kg-1, which provided the highest SCR of 90%. At 105 DAA, Backes et al. (2009)BACKES, C.; BULL, L.T.; GODOY, L. J. G.; VILLAS BÔAS, R. L.; LIMA, C. P.; PIRES, E. C. Uso de lodo de esgoto na produção de tapetes de grama esmeralda. Ciência Rural, v. 39, p. 1045-1050, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782009000400014
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782009...
found that a foliar leaf N concentration of 17 g kg-1 provided more than 95% of SCR and at 165 DAA the concentration range was from 19 to 22 g kg-1.

From the results, we can infer that, due to the dilution effect, there is a tendency toward a decrease in the nutrient concentration in the leaf throughout the cycle, where a redistribution of N occurs with an increase in the total plant mass. The management of the lawn including the trimming and removal of cuttings, and the consequent removal of nutrients, also explains the reduction in concentration of N at 156 DAA. For this study, a dose of 30 Mg ha-1 can be considered optimum, since the increase in SPAD value of approximately 5% does not justify increasing the dose to 40 Mg ha-1, considering the costs of production.

4. CONCLUSIONS

A 30 Mg ha-1 dose of sewage sludge compost is the most suitable for sod production.

A divided application of sewage sludge compost is not recommended.

Sewage sludge compost used in the production of zoysia grass had beneficial effects and the use of SSC in zoysia grass sod production can substitute urea fertilization.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES, Brazil). We would also like to thank the company Tera Ambiental for financing the project.

6. REFERENCES

  • ANGLE, J. S.; WOLF, D. C.; HALL, J. R. Turfgrass growth aided by sludge compost. BioCycle, v. 22, p. 40-43, 1981.
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    11 Feb 2019
  • Date of issue
    2019

History

  • Received
    19 July 2018
  • Accepted
    01 Dec 2018
Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais em Bacias Hidrográficas Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais em Bacias Hidrográficas (IPABHi), Estrada Mun. Dr. José Luis Cembranelli, 5000, Taubaté, SP, Brasil, CEP 12081-010 - Taubaté - SP - Brazil
E-mail: ambi.agua@gmail.com