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Field investigations into the manurial value of liquid undigested sewage sludge when applied to grassland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. G. Coker ,
J. E. Hall ,
C. H. Carlton-Smith  and
R. D. Davis
E. G. Coker
Affiliation:
Water Research Centre, Medmenham Laboratory, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2HD
J. E. Hall
Affiliation:
Water Research Centre, Medmenham Laboratory, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2HD
C. H. Carlton-Smith
Affiliation:
Water Research Centre, Medmenham Laboratory, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2HD
R. D. Davis
Affiliation:
Water Research Centre, Medmenham Laboratory, Henley Road, Medmenham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2HD
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Summary

Two sets of experiments were carried out during 1978–82 in order to compare the value of nitrogen in liquid undigested sludge (LUDS) with that in ‘Nitro-Chalk’. One set took place in the area of north Hertfordshire-south Bedfordshire, and the other at the University of Leeds. In the first growing season after application the relative effectiveness of LUDS-N was about 20%. In subsequent years it was about 40% though it was less on a soil initially very deficient in soil-N. At Leeds the 2nd-year value was 60–75%.

In the growing season immediately following treatment, N mineralized from LUDS became available too late to increase D.M. yields greatly; much of this appeared to be retained in the turf mat and increased the yield of D.M. the following year. When the lower 1st-year responses were taken into account there did not appear to be any yield penalty in making autumn (November) applications, compared with spring (February). This overall result concealed differences between soils.

In a year when it was dry during the main growing period yields were reduced by about 25%. It seems that LUDS-N is most valuable when it is applied regularly to the same area, and in the wetter parts of the country. Much LUDS comes from smaller rural sewage treatment works which are much less likely to carry contamination from potentially toxic elements.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 109 , Issue 3 , December 1987 , pp. 479 - 494
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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