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Evaluation of the potential of sewage sludge as a valuable fertilizer for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops

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Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was performed to assess the soil heavy metal pools, growth, yield, and heavy metal uptake of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) that are grown at different rates in soils supplemented with sewage sludge (SS). The experimental design was completely randomized, with six replicates per treatment. The application of SS significantly increased the soil organic matter content. Generally, most growth parameters, as well as the biomass of treated wheat, were significantly increased with the amendment of SS, up to the addition rate of 40 g kg−1. The content of all heavy metals (except Cr in grains and Pb in spikes) significantly increased in different tissues of treated wheat with the increasing rate of SS application. However, all heavy metal concentrations (except for Al, Cr, Fe, and Mn in the roots) were normal and did not overcome the phytotoxic levels. The wheat was recognized by a bioaccumulation factor < 1.0 for most of the heavy metals. The translocation factor for all of the heavy metals was < 1.0. Therefore, the SS utilized in the present study could be used as a valuable organic fertilizer in wheat cultivation areas in Saudi Arabia and could also act as an eco-friendly method for the recycling of SS.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University (Project Number R.G.P. 1/14/38).

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Author notes

  1. Ebrahem M. Eid

    Present address: Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt

  2. Ahmed F. El-Bebany

    Present address: Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, El-Shatby, Alexandria, 21545, Egypt

  3. Mostafa A. Taher

    Present address: Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt

  4. Abd El-Latif Hesham

    Present address: Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha, 61321, Saudi Arabia

    Ebrahem M. Eid, Sulaiman A. Alrumman, Mostafa A. Taher, Gamal A. El-Shaboury & Mohamed T. Ahmed

  2. Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha, 61321, Saudi Arabia

    Khaled F. Fawy

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  1. Ebrahem M. Eid
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Correspondence to Ebrahem M. Eid.

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Eid, E.M., Alrumman, S.A., El-Bebany, A.F. et al. Evaluation of the potential of sewage sludge as a valuable fertilizer for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 392–401 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3617-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3617-3

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