© The Authors, 2021, Published by the Universidad del Zulia*Corresponding author: joscastellanos@uniboyaca.edu.co
Keywords:
Sewage sludge
Amendments
Solanum lycopersicum
Pathogens
Innocuous
Biosolids as fertilizer in the tomato crop
Biosólidos como fertilizante en el cultivo de tomate
Biossólidos como fertilizante na cultura do tomate
Universidad de Pamplona
Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia
Abstract
The sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants constitutes a
potential alternative to replace traditional fertilizers and reduce costs in
agricultural activities. The objective of this work was to compare the
fertilizing effect of the sludge produced in the wastewater treatment plant of
Sotaquirá-Colombia, with the fertilizers traditionally used on the tomato crop
(Solanum lycopersicum L). For this, the sludge was previously stabilized
with two different treatments: dehydration and the addition of CaO.
Subsequently, four treatments were applied to the tomato seedlings, 135
g.kg
-1
of dehydrated biosolid, 135 g.kg
-1
biosolid stabilized with CaO, 135
g.kg
-1
of ABIMGRA®, 135 g.kg
-1
of naturcomplet®-G, and greenhouse soil
without biosolids. The height of the plant, the fresh and dry mass, foliar area,
and fruits per plant, were measured at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing.
In tomato fruits, the concentrations of heavy metals, coliforms, helminth
eggs, somatic phages, and Salmonella sp., were determined. The dehydrated
biosolids had a signicant effect on the size, the fresh mass, foliar area, and
the number of fruits per plant, compared to the alkaline biosolids. The dry
mass of the plants (120 g. plant
-1
) was similar to traditional fertilizers and
biosolids. Tomatoes produced with biosolids had low levels of heavy metals
and an absence of pathogenic microorganisms. In conclusion, the biosolid
obtained by dehydration in Sotaquirá can be used as a potential fertilizer in
tomato cultivation.
1
Universidad de Boyacá, Carrera 2ª Este No. 64-169-Tunja,
Boyacá. Postal Code 150003. Colombia.
2
Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia,
Avenida Central del Norte 39-115, Tunja, Boyacá.
Postal
Code 150003. Colombia.
3
Universidad El Bosque, Carrera 9 No. 131a-20, Bogotá,
Postal Code 150003. Colombia.
Received: 24-10-2021
Accepted: 06-05-2022
Published: 08-06-2022
José Castellanos-Rozo
1
*
Jaqueline A. Galvis-López
1
Elsa Helena Manjarres Hernández
2
Nuri Andrea Merchán-Castellanos
3
Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931
ISSN 2477-9407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47280/RevFacAgron(LUZ).v39.n2.09
Crop Production
Associate editor: Dra. Ana F. González-Pedraza
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Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931. April - June. ISSN 2477-9407.
2-7 |
Resumen
Los lodos producidos en las plantas de tratamientos de aguas
residuales constituyen una alternativa potencial para reemplazar
fertilizantes tradicionales y disminuir costos en las actividades
agrícolas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar el desempeño de
los lodos producidos en la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales
de Sotaquirá-Colombia, con los fertilizantes tradicionalmente
empleados sobre el cultivo de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum
L.). Para ello, los lodos fueron previamente estabilizados con dos
tratamientos diferentes: deshidratación y adición de óxido de calcio
(CaO). Posteriormente, cuatro tratamientos fueron aplicados en
plántulas de tomate, 135 g.kg
-1
de biosólido deshidratado; 135 g.kg
-1
biosólido estabilizado con CaO; 135 g.kg
-1
de ABIMGRA®, 135
g.kg
-1
de naturcomplet®-G y suelo del invernadero sin biosólidos.
La altura de la planta, la masa fresca y seca, el área foliar y frutos por
planta, se midieron a los 0, 30, 60 y 90 días después de la siembra
(DDS). En los frutos de tomate se determinaron las concentraciones
de metales pesados, coliformes, huevos de helmintos, fagos
somáticos y Salmonella sp. Los biosólidos deshidratados tuvieron un
efecto signicativo mayor sobre el tamaño, la masa fresca, el área
foliar y el número de frutos por planta, comparado con los biosólidos
alcalinos. La masa seca de las plantas (120 g. plant
-1
) fue similar
con fertilizantes tradicionales y biosólidos. Los tomates producidos
con los biosólidos presentaron niveles bajos de metales pesados y
ausencia de microorganismos patógenos. En conclusión, el biosólido
obtenido por deshidratación en Sotaquirá, puede ser empleado como
potencial fertilizante en el cultivo de tomate.
Palabras clave: lodos de aguas residuales; enmiendas; Solanum
lycopersicum; patógenos; inocuo.
Resumo
O lodo produzido nas estações de tratamento de euentes
constitui uma alternativa potencial para substituir os fertilizantes
tradicionais e reduzir custos nas atividades agrícolas. O objetivo
deste trabalho foi comparar o efeito fertilizante do lodo produzido na
estação de tratamento de águas residuárias de Sotaquirá-Colombia,
com os fertilizantes tradicionalmente usados na cultura do tomate
(Solanum lycopersicum L). Para isso, o lodo foi previamente
estabilizado com dois tratamentos distintos: desidratação e adição de
CaO. Seguidamente, foram aplicados quatro tratamentos as mudas
de tomate, 135 g.kg
-1
de biossólido desidratado, 135 g.kg
-1
de
biossólido estabilizado com 13% CaO, 135 g.kg
-1
de ABIMGRA®,
135 g.kg
-1
de naturcomplet ®-G, e solo de estufa sem biossólidos.
A altura da planta, a massa fresca e seca, a área foliar, o número de
ramos, folhas e frutos por planta foram medidos aos 0, 30, 60 e 90 dias
após a semeadura DAS. Em frutos do tomate, foram determinadas
as concentrações de metais pesados, coliformes, ovos de helmintos,
fagos somáticos e Salmonella sp. O biossólido desidratado teve
efeito signicativo sobre o tamanho, a massa fresca, a área foliar e
o número de frutos por planta, quando comparado com biossólido
alcalino. A massa seca das plantas (120 g. plant
-1
) foi semelhante com
fertilizantes tradicionais e biossólidos. Os tomates produzidos com
biossólidos apresentam baixos teores de metais pesados e ausência
de microrganismos patogênicos. Em conclusão, o biossólido obtido
por desidratação em Sotaquirá pode ser utilizado como potencial
fertilizante na cultura do tomate.
Palavras-chave: lodo de esgoto; emendas; Solanum lycopersicum;
patógenos; inócuo.
Introduction
Tomato is one of the most important vegetables in the world. In
Colombia, the Department of Boyacá is the rst tomato producer
reaching up to 100 t. ha
-1
(Agro Bayer Colombia, 2019). The acidity
of the soil, the fertilization, and the pests, are the main factors that
limit the agricultural production of tomatoes in Colombia (Herrera
& Pérez, 2020). ABIMGRA® and naturcomplet®-G, are fertilizers
most commonly used in tomato cultivation in Boyacá, Colombia.
However, these fertilizers are expensive. ABIMGRA® is an integral
soil fertilizer, enriched with substances that facilitate the transport
of nutrients through the vascular system of the plant (ABIMGRA,
2020). Naturcomplet®-G is a soil improver obtained from leonardite,
a rich source of humics acids (Naturezza, 2020). At a global level, the
possibility of using biosolids (stabilized sewage sludge) as fertilizer
has been evaluated on several crops such as tomatoes (Otieno et
al., 2020), wheat (Dad et al., 2018), corn (Giannakis et al., 2020),
radish (Silva-Leal et al., 2013b), and sugar cane (Torres et al., 2015).
The results indicate that some biosolids can be used to improve soil
structure, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, optimize costs, and
increase crop yields (Chow & Pan, 2020). The biosolids can arrive
safely due to stabilization treatments, which eliminate pathogenic
microorganisms (Silva-Leal et al., 2013a).
The wastewater treatment plant located in Sotaquirá, Boyacá,
Colombia produces 109 tons of sludges per year. The sludges of
Sotaquirá have been stabilized by alkalization and dehydration
in the drying bed (Castellanos et al., 2020). The microbiological
and physicochemical characterization of these biosolids suggests
potential agricultural use due to their high content of total organic
matter and low levels of heavy metals (Castellanos et al., 2018).
The high levels of phosphorus, organic carbon, and nitrogen are
attributable to the main local economic activity of the municipality,
which is the production of artisanal dairy products. However, the
fertilizing power of these biosolids has not been tested in any crop.
There are also no studies where the effect of biosolids is compared
with traditional fertilizers in tomato crops. The objective of this
study was to compare the effect of the use of biosolids stabilized
with lime (CaO) and by natural dehydration in drying beds produced
at the wastewater treatment plant of the Sotaquirá, with traditional
fertilizers ABIMGRA and Naturcomplet®-G in the growth of tomato
plants (Solanum lycopersicum L). In addition, it was evaluated that
the tomatoes harvested with bisolids were safe for consumption.
Materials and methods
Study area
The study was carried out at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
(WTP) of the municipality of Sotaquirá, Colombia, located at
5°45’54”N, 73°14’53”W at 2628 meters above sea level (masl).
The average annual temperature is 14°C (between 7 and 20°C) with
average annual relative humidity of 80%, average annual precipitation
of 1260 mm, and average wind speed of 21 km.h
-1
. The main economic
activity is dairy production and all its discharges ow into the sewage
system. The wastewater treatment plant treats an average ow of 1.72
L. s
-1
(Castellanos et al., 2018).
Sewage sludge stabilization treatment
To obtain dehydrated biosolid, the sludge was deposited forming a
30-centimeter layer in a 10 m
2
drying bed covered with a polypropylene
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Castellanos-Rozo et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931
3-7 |
roof, and it was dried for ve months. Later it was macerated and sifted
through an ASTM sieve (16 mesh) with a 1.18 mm diameter opening
in stainless steel (Endecotts brand). Alkaline biosolid was obtained
using lime, briey the sewage sludge was drying in an oven at 44°C
for 24 h mixed homogeneously with CaO (99% analytical grade) at
13% (w/w) and sifted through an ASTM sieve (16 mesh) with a 1.18
mm diameter opening in stainless steel (Endecotts brand). After that,
100 g of biosolids were collected by triplicate for physical-chemical
characterization. For biosolids, ABIMGRA, Naturcomplet®-G, and
greenhouse soil, the total concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd,
Cu, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Hg and Zn) were analyzed by extraction acid
and quantied by atomic absorption spectrometry (EPA, 1996). Soil
organic carbon (ICONTEC, 2006), available phosphorus (García &
Ballesteros, 2006), total nitrogen (TC WI: 2003 E), pH (EPA, 2004),
electrical conductivity (EPA, 1982), soil humidity (ICONTEC, 2013),
fecal coliforms (Castellanos et al., 2020), Salmonella sp., (EPA,
2006), helminth eggs (Rachel & Duncan, 1996), and somatic phages
(Lasobras et al., 1999) also were determined.
Application of biosolids to tomato seedlings
The experiment was performed in a greenhouse in the municipality
of Santa Sofía-Boyacá-Colombia, located at 5°42′49″N, 73°36′11″W
at 2353 masl. The average annual temperature is 14°C (between 8
and 18°C) with average annual relative humidity of 73%, and average
annual precipitation of 1179 mm. The sowing of the seedlings
(Solanum lycopersicum L.) was carried out with a completely
randomized experimental design with 30 repetitions (seedlings) for
each treatment. Four treatments were evaluated: the soil was mixed
with I. 135 g.kg
-1
of biosolid stabilized by natural dehydration for ve
months, II. 135 g.kg
-1
of biosolid stabilized with CaO at 13% III. 135
g.kg
-1
of ABIMGRA®, and IV. 135 g.kg
-1
of Naturcomplet®-G (Utria
et al., 2008). The seedlings were sown with each treatment in black
high-density polyethylene plastic bags. One month after sowing to
the greenhouse the plants were transplanted. The distance between
plants was 0.4 m and between rows 1 meter to obtain a population
density of 2.5 plants.m
-2
(Arévalo & Castellano, 2009). Plant height,
fresh mass, dry mass, foliar area, and number of fruits were measured
in three plants per treatment at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing.
The plant physiological growth rates of the plants were calculated as
the relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area index (LAI), crop growth
rate (CGR), absolute growth rate (AGR) at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days of
culture (Gardner et al., 2003).
Chemical and microbiological analysis of tomato fruits
Parameters such as K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn were
extracted by acid nitric: peroxide: water (5:1:2) digestion and
quantied by atomic absorption spectrometry. Others like As, Cd, Cr,
and Pb were extracted by acid nitric: peroxide: water (5:1:2) digestion
and quantied by inductively plasma emission spectrometry (EPA,
1996). Boron was determined by NTC 5404 modied (ICONTEC,
2011). Likewise, nitrogen total, available phosphorus, fecal coliforms,
Salmonella sp., helminth eggs, and somatic phages were determined
as described above.
Statistical analysis
To determine signicant differences between treatments of
fertilization, analysis of variance and the Tukey test was applied with
a 95% condence interval using the InfoStat program (Di Rienzo et
al., 2020).
Results and discussion
Sewage sludge stabilization treatment
The biosolids obtained from two treatments contain concentrations
of metals lower than the limits allowed for agricultural use (Table
1). Total organic carbon (37%), available phosphorus (5.1%), and
nitrogen (2.1%) of the biosolids obtained by dehydration were higher
than the values reported for other biosolids, fertilizers, and organic
amendments used for improvement of agricultural soils (Romanos et
al., 2019; Silva-Leal et al., 2013a). Therefore, drying did not affect
the chemical properties of the biosolids. The dehydrated sludges
presented low levels of fecal coliforms, helminth eggs, and somatic
phages, which indicates that these can be used in agriculture with
some restrictions (table 1).
On the other hand, the treatment with CaO increased pH, electrical
conductivity, concentration of organic carbon, and decreased the total
phosphorus available and total nitrogen of the biosolids (table 1). These
results are in agreement with those reported by Castellanos et al.,
2020), Méndez et al. (2002), and Silva-Leal et al. (2013a). Likewise,
the treatment with CaO at 13%, eliminated coliforms, Salmonella sp.,
helminth eggs, and somatic phages, similar to the results reported by
Torres et al. (2009). Studies have been reported that some environment
conditions such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation could be
lethal for survival of pathogenic microorganisms (Ibenyassine et
al., 2007). Considering the height (2860 m) of Sotaquirá, ultraviolet
radiation is quite high throughout the year, therefore ultraviolet light
could directly inuence the reduction of pathogens in dehydrated
biosolids. Regarding alkaline lime treatment, the addition of lime to
sludge is known to inactivate or kill pathogenic bacteria by raising the
pH above 12 and the temperature above 55°C (Hansen et al., 2007).
Effect of biosolids on tomato seedlings
The effect on the growth of tomato seedlings when using biosolids
and traditional fertilizer (ABIMGRA and Naturcomplet®-G) was
positive in all parameters evaluated. The treatment with traditional
fertilizer increased height, fresh mass, and fruits compared to alkaline
and dehydrated biosolid treatment. However, dry mass was similar
using dehydrated biosolid or Naturcomplet®-G and ABIMGRA®
(gure 1b).
Additionally, fresh mass, height, dry mass, and fruits of the
plants treated with dehydrated biosolids were greater than alkaline
biosolid. According to Julca et al. (2006), the application of
dehydrated sludge with high concentrations of organic matter,
phosphorus, and nitrogen, increases the cation exchange, improves
the structure and texture of soils, and the assimilation of nutrients
by plants (Arévalo & Castellano, 2009). The sludge with CaO
at 13% decreases the pathogenic microorganisms and corrects
the acidity of the soil. However, some studies indicated that high
calcium concentrations reduce the availability of zinc, boron, iron,
manganese, lead, and copper, phosphorus and nitrogen which limits
the growth of plants (Opala et al., 2018; Barrow, 2017; Méndez et al.,
2002). Calcium oxide decreases the acquisition of various diseases
due to the composition of the cell walls preventing the penetration
of pathogens into the host plant. (Andersen et al., 2018; Li & Zou,
2017). However, high concentrations of calcium oxide (CaO) can
cause alkali damage. These damages vary according to the type of
plant and range from chlorosis, atrophy, scorching of the leaves, or
wilting to the destruction of seedlings and young plants (Sharma et
al., 2020). The effect of the biosolids on the growth of tomato plants
was corroborated by calculating physiological growth indexes (data
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Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931. April - June. ISSN 2477-9407.
4-7 |
Table 1. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the biosolids, ABIMGRA and Naturcomplet®-G fertilizers, and greenhouse
soil (negative control).
Parameters
Dehydrated
biosolid
Alkaline Biosolid ABIMGRA
Naturcomplet®-G
Control soil
Biosolid
Type A*
Biosolid
Type B*
Arsenic (mg.kg
-1
) ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 20 40
Cadmium (mg.kg
-1
) ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 8 40
Copper (mg.kg
-1
) ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 1.9± 0.0 1000 1750
Chrome (mg.kg
-1
) ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 1000 1500
Mercury (mg.kg
-1
) ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.1 10 20
Molybdenum (mg.kg
-1
) ˂40 ± 0.0 ˂40 ± 0.0 ˂40 ± 0.0 ˂40 ± 0.0 ˂40 ± 0.0 18 75
Nickel (mg.kg
-1
) ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 80 420
Lead (mg.kg
-1
) ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 300 400
Selenium (mg.kg
-1
) ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ˂18 ± 0.0 36 100
Zinc (mg.kg
-1
) 82.0 ± 0.1 82.0 ± 0.0 ˂1.8 ± 0.0 ND 2.79 ± 0.0 2000 2800
Organic carbon (%) 37.3 ± 1.5 44.6 ± 2.3 10.9 20.3 5.04 ± 0.0 N/A N/A
Phosphorus (%) 5.1 ± 0.1 0.2 ± 0.0 2.3 ND 22 ± 0.0 N/A N/A
Nitrogen (%) 2.1 ± 0.6 1.1 ± 0.0 1.1 1.0± 0.0 0.4± 0.0 N/A N/A
Humidity (%) 6.0 ± 0.0 ND 12.6 30± 0.0 35± 0.0 N/A N/A
pH 6.5 ± 0.1 12.0 ± 0.1 6.8 8.7± 0.0 4.95± 0.0 N/A N/A
Electrical conductivity (Ds.m
-1
) 0.6 ± 0.1 4.3 ± 0.2 38.9 2.5 0.3 N/A N/A
Salmonella sp.25 g
-1
A A A A ND A <3
Coliforms (Log CFU.g
-1
) 3.0 ± 0.0 0 <3 <3 <3 <3 <6.3
Helminths (eggs.4 g
-1
) 1.0 ± 0.6 0 <1 <1 <1 <1 <10
Phages (Log PFU.g
-1
) 3.7 ± 0.1 0 <4.7 <4.7 <4.7 <4.7 ND
*MVCT, 2014. Biosolid type A: used directly in agriculture; Biosolid type B: used for soil restoration; ND; not determined.
Figure 1. Plant height (a); fresh mass. plant
-1
(b); dry mass. plant
-1
(c); fruits. plant
-1
(d) according to treatments: alkaline stabilization
at 13% CaO, drying beds stabilization, control, ABIMGRA® and naturcomplet®-D fertilizer. Different letters indicate
statistically signicant differences with α = 0.05. Time: days after sowing.
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Castellanos-Rozo et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931
5-7 |
The results obtained in this study demonstrated the absence
of pathogenic microorganisms in the tomatoes. The foregoing
corroborates that both sewage sludge stabilization processes were
effective in eliminating pathogenic microorganisms and that they can
be safely used in agriculture as fertilizers (Table 2). The tomatoes
did not present pathogenic microorganisms because the fruits had no
contact with the soil, the irrigation water was potable, and sanitary-
hygienic conditions of washing and disinfection were adequate.
Besides, the stems and fruits did not suffer mechanical injuries in the
eld and after the harvest. Studies carried out with Salmonella sp.,
revealed its capacity to internalize, through the lacerated stems and
owers, to grow inside the plant, and to migrate to the fruit, surviving
during the growth of the plants, the owering, the development, and
maturation of the fruits (Orozco et al., 2008).
not shown). The dehydrated biosolids showed higher absolute growth
than the alkalinization treatment because these had a higher leaf area
index and a higher light capture for their photosynthetic processes
(Hernández et al., 2018). This same process was observed in plants
such as the potato (Santos et al., 2017), and sorghum (Hernández et
al., 2018).
The number of fruits was higher with dehydrated biosolids than
with alkaline biosolids. However, traditional fertilizer obtained the
highest number of fruits. ABIMGRA® and Naturcomplet®-G had a
yield of 7.5 kg.m
-2
and 9 kg.m
-2
respectively, while tomato seedlings
fertilized with dehydrated biosolids and alkaline biosolids had a
yield of 5.73 kg.m
-2
, and 2.74 kg.m
-2
respectively. These results are
below traditional production, which has an average yield of 35 kg.m
-2
(Castellano, 2011). However, it must be considered that in this study,
only the initial fertilization was carried out while in the traditional
crop, fertilization every week was carried out (Bojacá et al., 2019).
Chemical and microbiological analysis of tomato fruits
Tomatoes produced with biosolids and traditional fertilizers
presented slow levels of heavy metals (lead, arsenic and chromium).
Trebolazabala et al. (2017), determined that the concentration of
heavy metals in tomato fruits is lower than in other parts of the
Table 2. Chemical and microbiological parameters of tomatoes planted with biosolids, and traditional fertilizers.
Parameters Dehydrated biosolid Alkaline biosolid ABIMGRA
Naturcomplet®-G
Control soil
Nitrogen (%) 2.38 2.10 2.60 2.60 2.60
Phosphorus (%) 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40
Potassium (%) 3.20 3.20 3.60 3.60 3.60
Calcium (%) 0.24 0.20 0.28 0.28 0.28
Magnesium (%) 0.16 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20
Sodium (%) 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
Sulfur (%) 0.02 0.20 0.17 0.17 0.17
Iron (mg.kg
-1
) 81.1 65.3 73.0 73.1 72.8
Copper (mg.kg
-1
) 6.20 5.74 6.0 6.0 5.80
Manganese mg.kg
-1
) 5.44 4.69 4.34 4.34 4.34
Zinc (mg.kg
-1
) 24.9 21.0 26.0 25.7 25.7
Boron (mg.kg
-1
) 13.9 16.1 13.4 13.4 13.4
Arsenic (mg.kg
-1
) <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3
Cadmium (mg.kg
-1
) 0.45 0.47 0.80 0.80 0.80
Chrome (mg.kg
-1
) <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5
Lead (mg.kg
-1
) <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3 <0.3
Coliforms (Log CFU.g
-1
) <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Salmonella sp.25g
-1
A* A* A* A* A*
Helminths (eggs.4g
-1
) <1 <1 <1 <1 <1
Phages (PFU.g
-1
) <10 <10 <10 <10 <10
*Absence in 25 g of tomato
plant. It should be noted that the tomatoes obtained with alkaline
biosolids presented a concentration of iron and zinc of 65 mg.kg-
1
and 21 mg.kg-
1
respectively, lower than the tomatoes obtained with
dehydrated biosolids, ABIMGRA and Naturcomplet®-G. This agrees
with what was described by Wang et al. (2000), who determined that
some heavy metals are more available to plants in acid soils than in
alkaline soils (table 2).
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Castellanos-Rozo
et al. Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ). 2022, 39(2): e223931
6-7 |
Conclusions
Compared to the alkaline biosolids, the dehydrated biosolids had
a signicant effect on the height, the fresh mass, the foliar area, and
the number of fruits per plant. The dry mass of the plants fertilized
with dehydrated biosolids and traditional fertilizers were similar.
This way, the use of dehydrated biosolids positively inuences the
production of tomato plants without altering the food safety and
constitutes an alternative to carry out adequate disposal of sewage
sludge of Sotaquirá.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported nancially by the University of
Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia. We especially thank the students of the
Environmental Engineering program Juan Carlos Villamil and
Veronica Monroy for their collaboration in this research.
Literatura cited
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