Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production

Conventional mineral fertilization (CMF) is a common practice in infertile sugarcane-cultivated tropical soils, increasing production costs and environmental concerns. Combining CMF with composted sewage sludge (CSS) could be a sustainable strategy. We aim to evaluate changes in soil chemical proper...

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Main Authors: Rafael dos Santos Silva, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho, Arshad Jalal, Rodrigo Silva Alves, Nathércia Castro Elias, Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento, Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior, Arun Dilipkumar Jani, Gian Franco Capra, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Land
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1820
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author Rafael dos Santos Silva
Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho
Arshad Jalal
Rodrigo Silva Alves
Nathércia Castro Elias
Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento
Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior
Arun Dilipkumar Jani
Gian Franco Capra
Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
author_facet Rafael dos Santos Silva
Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho
Arshad Jalal
Rodrigo Silva Alves
Nathércia Castro Elias
Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento
Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior
Arun Dilipkumar Jani
Gian Franco Capra
Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
author_sort Rafael dos Santos Silva
collection DOAJ
description Conventional mineral fertilization (CMF) is a common practice in infertile sugarcane-cultivated tropical soils, increasing production costs and environmental concerns. Combining CMF with composted sewage sludge (CSS) could be a sustainable strategy. We aim to evaluate changes in soil chemical properties, macro- and micronutrient concentrations in the soil surface (A<sub>p1</sub>; 0–25 cm) and subsurface (A<sub>p2</sub>; 25–50 cm) horizons, after CSS application with or without CMF in sugarcane cultivation (first and second ratoon cane). Eleven treatments, featured by CSS increase rates and mixed with CMF at different concentrations, were tested in the first ratoon; during the second, the CSS residual effect was evaluated. Applying CSS in sugarcane-cultivated soils, improved the following: (<i>i</i>) soil organic matter, pH, the sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, and base saturation; (<i>ii</i>) overall nutrient concentrations (P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, and Zn). The treatments showing the best performances were those with 5.0 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> of CSS. Composted sewage sludge has the potential for use as an organic natural fertilizer reducing the need for CMF. When applied in infertile tropical soils, additional positive effects can be achieved, such as decreasing production costs and providing socio-economic benefits.
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spelling doaj-art-9f7af7d044594db999ac8c9c19fa09142025-08-20T02:04:54ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-11-011311182010.3390/land13111820Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane ProductionRafael dos Santos Silva0Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho1Arshad Jalal2Rodrigo Silva Alves3Nathércia Castro Elias4Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento5Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior6Arun Dilipkumar Jani7Gian Franco Capra8Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira9Department of Plant Protection, Rural Engineering, and Soils, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilDepartment of Plant Protection, Rural Engineering, and Soils, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilThe BioActives Lab, Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Soil Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilCenter of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Centenário n◦ 303, Piracicaba 13416-000, SP, BrazilDepartment of Biology and Chemistry, California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA 93955, USADipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Plant Protection, Rural Engineering, and Soils, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, BrazilConventional mineral fertilization (CMF) is a common practice in infertile sugarcane-cultivated tropical soils, increasing production costs and environmental concerns. Combining CMF with composted sewage sludge (CSS) could be a sustainable strategy. We aim to evaluate changes in soil chemical properties, macro- and micronutrient concentrations in the soil surface (A<sub>p1</sub>; 0–25 cm) and subsurface (A<sub>p2</sub>; 25–50 cm) horizons, after CSS application with or without CMF in sugarcane cultivation (first and second ratoon cane). Eleven treatments, featured by CSS increase rates and mixed with CMF at different concentrations, were tested in the first ratoon; during the second, the CSS residual effect was evaluated. Applying CSS in sugarcane-cultivated soils, improved the following: (<i>i</i>) soil organic matter, pH, the sum of bases, cation-exchange capacity, and base saturation; (<i>ii</i>) overall nutrient concentrations (P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, and Zn). The treatments showing the best performances were those with 5.0 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup> of CSS. Composted sewage sludge has the potential for use as an organic natural fertilizer reducing the need for CMF. When applied in infertile tropical soils, additional positive effects can be achieved, such as decreasing production costs and providing socio-economic benefits.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1820energy crop<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.by-products reusecircular economysoil fertilitytropical areas
spellingShingle Rafael dos Santos Silva
Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho
Arshad Jalal
Rodrigo Silva Alves
Nathércia Castro Elias
Raimunda Eliane Nascimento do Nascimento
Cassio Hamilton Abreu-Junior
Arun Dilipkumar Jani
Gian Franco Capra
Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira
Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
Land
energy crop
<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.
by-products reuse
circular economy
soil fertility
tropical areas
title Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
title_full Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
title_fullStr Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
title_full_unstemmed Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
title_short Treating Tropical Soils with Composted Sewage Sludge Reduces the Mineral Fertilizer Requirements in Sugarcane Production
title_sort treating tropical soils with composted sewage sludge reduces the mineral fertilizer requirements in sugarcane production
topic energy crop
<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.
by-products reuse
circular economy
soil fertility
tropical areas
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/11/1820
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