Municipal Sewage Sludge Effects on Maize Yield, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Soil Properties

Abstract Biosolids are frequently used as organic soil additives. This 2-year field study investigated the effects of sewage sludge (SWS) application on maize ( Zea mays L.) production, nitrogen accumulation, redistribution, and use efficiency, well grain element concentrations properties. Treatments included three SWS rates (20, 40, 80 Mg ha −1 year ‒1 ), mineral fertilizer (300 kg N 26 P an unamended control. Plant samples were collected at silking maturity in both years, while taken following harvest second year. Maize yield increased by 143 for every increase rate. Sewage resulted comparable to or even greater than that fertilizer. Nitrogen uptake translocation grains quadratically with increasing rates. efficiency moderate (up 40 ) but decreased heavy (80 compared fertilizer, raising risk losses. Compared similar lower Cu concentration grain, higher K, had no effect N, Zn, Fe, Mn concentration. Soil pH, NO 3 -N, exchangeable K Olsen improved SWS. There differences among treatments DTPA-extractable Cu, raised could be plant reservoir silking, grains, post-silking uptake, allowing plants meet their requirements throughout growing season. Even 20 , can successfully replace crop.