The present study aimed at the evaluation of the total macronutrient extraction by Esmeralda grass as influenced by different dosis of sewage sludge added to the soil. The experimental site was set up on a commercial grass production area in Itapetininga, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A split plot design with four replicates was used in which the main treatment was the amount of sewage sludge (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 Mg/ha) and the subtreatment was the type of soil tillage (with or without chisel plowing). The amount of sewage sludge applied were equivalent to 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg/ha nitrogen. Increasing amounts of sewage sludge to the soil led to larger levels of nutrients taken up by Esmeralda grass. The highest levels of nitrogen added as sewage sludge led to grass overgrowing and diminution of plant rooting. Intermediate amounts such as 20-30 Mg/ha were reasonable as they caused decrease on plant shootings and resulted in the development of roots and plant shoots thus forming a resistant soil cover.
Zoysia japonica; fertilization; nitrogen; clippings; extraction
