Journal article

Effects of sewage sludge application on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and plant growth of faba bean, soybean, and lupin


Authors listAbd-Alla, MH; Yan, F; Schubert, S

Publication year1999

Pages69-75

JournalJournal of applied botany = Angewandte Botanik

Volume number73

Issue number3-4

ISSN0066-1759

URLhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/259224165

PublisherBlackwell


Abstract
The effect of sewage sludge application to a desert soil on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and plant growth of faba bean (Vicia faba I,.), soybean (Glycine,max L.), and lupin (Lupinus albus L.) was investigated in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. Nodulation, nitrogenase activity, and plant growth of faba bean, soybean, and lupin were significantly increased by moderate application rates of sewage sludge (20 and 30%, w/w). The decisive effect caused by application of sewage sludge on legume growth was the promotion of nodulation and subsequent nitrogen fixation. At an application level of 30% (w/w), compared with control, nodulation was increased by 55%, 96%, and 171% for faba bean, soybean, and lupin, respectively Conversely, at high application rates (40 and 50%) sewage sludge significantly inhibited nodulation, nitrogen fixation, dry matter accumulation and nitrogen yields of faba bean and soybean. Again, inhibition of nodulation by high amounts of sludge was the decisive process responsible for low nitrogen fixation and dry matter production of legume plants. At 50% application rate, compared with control, sewage sludge caused significant nodulation decrease by 62%, 79%, and 29% for faba bean, soybean and lupin, respectively. Data of plant analysis indicates that the inhibitory effect of sewage sludge at high application rates was most probably due to toxic (noxious) effect of heavy metals (Cu and Zn) on the microsymbiont rather than on host plants. Our results demonstrated that sewage sludge at low application rates may significantly improve legume growth on desert soils.



Authors/Editors




Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleAbd-Alla, M., Yan, F. and Schubert, S. (1999) Effects of sewage sludge application on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and plant growth of faba bean, soybean, and lupin, Journal of applied botany = Angewandte Botanik, 73(3-4), pp. 69-75. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259224165

APA Citation styleAbd-Alla, M., Yan, F., & Schubert, S. (1999). Effects of sewage sludge application on nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and plant growth of faba bean, soybean, and lupin. Journal of applied botany = Angewandte Botanik. 73(3-4), 69-75. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259224165


Last updated on 2025-21-05 at 16:15