Paper Sludge as a Soil Amendment for Production of Corn

To evaluate paper sludge as a soil amendment for the production of corn (Zea mays indentata Bailey ‘Pioneer 35N05’), sludge was added to field plots (0 to 448 Mg wet mass ha−1 in 112 Mg units) in May 1998 and was incorporated into the top 15-cm of soil. No sludge was applied in the second year of cropping (1999). In 1998 and 1999, nitrogen (N) was added at 200 or 400 kg ha−1 as ammonium nitrate. Grain or stover yields in 1998 or 1999 were not affected by the addition of paper sludge. Grain yields did not differ between years, but stover production was greater in 1998 than in 1999. Grain analysis showed an increase in N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) concentrations in the year after application of sludge. Also, stover concentrations of copper (Cu) and B were greater in the second growing season than in the first year. Soil analysis showed a decrease in nitrate and calcium (Ca) concentrations with addition paper sludge in 1998. In 1999, nitrate and Ca concentrations did not vary with addition of paper sludge. Soil cation exchange capacity was greater in 1999 than in 1998, with the base saturation being dominated by Ca. Soil pH was 7.0 in 1998 and 7.2 in 1999. Adding paper sludge did not increase soil organic matter, which averaged 2.5%. Results from this study indicated that additions of paper sludge to soil added some nutrients to the crop and did not suppress corn yields.

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