有机物料对紫色土有机磷含量及植物磷吸收的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了4种有机物料对酸性、中性和石灰性紫色土有机磷含量及玉米幼苗磷的吸收与利用的影响。结果表明,等磷条件下,与化肥(HF)相比,猪粪沼渣(ZZ)使3种土壤有机磷含量显著提高,牛粪秸秆堆肥(NJD)和污泥堆肥(WD)的影响不显著,牛粪沼渣(NZ)的影响在酸性紫色土(APS)和中性紫色土(NPS)中不显著,但使石灰性紫色土(CPS)有机磷含量显著提高。有机物料降低了3种土壤的有效磷含量,对玉米幼苗根干重的影响不明显,却使除APS中NJD外的处理玉米幼苗地上部干重下降。除酸性紫色土的WD和NJD处理外,所有有机物料处理玉米幼苗磷的吸收量和表观利用率均低于HF处理。在所研究的有机物料中,WD和NJD处理土壤有效磷含量高于NZ和ZZ处理,玉米幼苗磷的吸收量和表观利用率以WD处理最高,NZ处理最低。研究还表明,酸性和中性紫色土有机磷含量与有机物料中的有机磷含量显著相关,在石灰性紫色土中则与土壤有机质含量显著相关,而土壤有效磷含量与物料中易溶性磷含量的高低一致。因而,施用有机物料时,不仅要考虑有机物料中的磷含量,还应关注有机物料中的磷形态及施用的土壤类型,并适当补充化肥。     

无机氮对土壤中有机碳矿化影响的探讨

采用1 4 C同位素示踪恒温密闭培养法 ,研究了秸秆和化肥配合施用体系中 ,无机氮对1 4 C秸秆碳矿化的影响 ,培养期一年。结果表明 ,在非石灰性土壤中 ,无机氮的施用促进了1 4 C秸秆碳的矿化 ,相对增加了土壤固有碳 ( 1 2 C)的固持 ,两者间的互补显示无机氮对土壤总碳矿化的影响不大 ;淹水土壤中的1 4 C秸秆碳年矿化率比旱地高 ,发现无机氮对1 4 C秸秆碳年矿化率的增加不论在旱地或水田状况是近似的。在石灰性土壤中 ,无机氮对1 4 C秸秆碳、土壤固有碳的矿化均起到抑制作用 ,没有发现无机氮对有机碳矿化的促进。对有机肥和无机肥配合施用体系中 ,化学氮肥对土壤有机碳转化影响 ,以及化学氮肥在土壤有机碳内循环中的作用功能等 ,提出了一些新的见解     

土壤水分和氮添加对3种质地紫色土氮矿化及土壤pH的影响

为正确认识土壤水分、质地和外源氮添加对紫色土氮矿化作用和土壤pH的影响,以西南地区典型的紫色土为研究对象,通过90d的室内恒温(25℃)好气培养,研究了3种质地(粘土、粉粘壤土和砂土)紫色土在不同含水量(55%,65%和75%田间持水量)和尿素氮添加水平(0mg/kg土和250mg/kg土.)条件下,土壤氮矿化作用和pH的变化。结果表明:前30d的累积矿化氮量可占培养期间(90d)的78.48%~91.55%,且各处理的土壤累积矿化氮量和净矿化速率均随着培养时间的延长而快速增加;第30~90d,土壤累积矿化氮量增长缓慢,净矿化速率迅速下降并趋于稳定。土壤累积矿化氮量和净矿化速率在各培养阶段均随土壤水分含量的增加而逐渐增大,其中75%WHC(75%田间持水量)和75%WHC+U(75%田间持水量+尿素)处理的矿化作用最强。土壤质地从一定程度上对土壤的矿化产生影响,但其影响并不显著。外源氮添加能促进土壤氮矿化,其净氮矿化量和净矿化速率在各培养阶段均极显著(p0.01)高于未加氮处理,分别为未施氮处理的1.68~4.56倍,0.60~6.47倍。外源氮添加使土壤pH显著下降,55%WHC+U、65%WHC+U和75%WHC+U处理分别下降了0.57,0.66,0.72个pH单位,土壤有酸化趋势。土壤pH值与土壤氮素净矿化速率呈极显著线性相关,净矿化速率对pH变化贡献巨大。总之,土壤含水量增加和外源氮添加均促进了土壤氮矿化,增加了土壤矿质氮含量,同时外源氮添加也加速了土壤pH下降,土壤有酸化趋势。     

羊粪在豫西旱地烟田的矿化特征研究

为了明确羊粪有机肥在豫西丘陵旱地的养分释放规律,为豫西旱地烟田施用羊粪有机肥提供理论基础。于2019年采用尼龙网袋田间原位培养的方法,研究烟苗移栽前15 d结合起垄施入腐熟羊粪有机肥在洛阳烟田的碳氮矿化特征及其对土壤速效养分含量和腐殖酸组分的影响。结果显示羊粪有机肥在土壤掩埋0~15 d矿化速度缓慢,15 d后快速矿化,在75 d达到峰值,碳、氮矿化率占整个矿化掩埋期矿化量的87.81%和88.11%,75 d后矿化减弱,矿化率趋于平稳。随着羊粪有机肥掩埋天数的增加,土壤硝态氮、土壤速效磷和速效钾含量升高,土壤铵态氮含量降低,表明羊粪有机肥在矿化过程中有利于促进土壤的硝化作用,增强土壤的供肥能力；羊粪有机肥施入土壤还能促进土壤腐殖酸的形成和积累,在施入土壤60 d后,土壤腐殖酸、富里酸、胡敏酸的含量及胡富比较对照处理明显升高。因此在豫西烤烟旱作区,于移栽前15 d施入腐熟羊粪有机肥,其碳氮矿化规律与烤烟的需肥要求能够较好地吻合,且有利于改善烟田土壤质量。     

特制有机肥提高贵州黄壤氮矿化和硝化率的研究

植烟土壤中的氮素形态比例是优质烟叶生产的关键,合理施用有机肥可以调节土壤中不同形态氮素矿化水平。以贵州植烟黄壤为研究对象,采用Stanford长期好气间歇淋洗培养法,研究并模拟了不同特制有机肥施用量(0(CK),750 kg·hm~(–2)(1F),1 500 kg·hm~(–2)(2F),2 250 kg·hm~(–2)(3F))下的土壤氮素矿化过程。结果表明,供试贵州黄壤培养5 d后硝化率低于10%,后期硝态氮释放比例严重偏低,土壤在烟草旺长期能供给的硝态氮总量为66.89 mg·kg~(–1),不能满足烟草全生育期内的需氮情况。特制有机肥施用后土壤速效氮矿化速率均呈"前快后慢"趋势,前期矿化量高,后期矿质氮素释放减少并逐渐稳定,符合烟草生长对氮的吸收规律。特制有机肥施用显著提高了土壤速效氮矿化量,速效氮矿化量最多增长420.1%,硝态氮最多增长276.6%。添加特制有机肥显著提高了植烟黄壤硝化率,硝化率增幅范围为8.1%～50.4%。3F处理特制有机肥施用量条件下,土壤硝化率变化范围为43.69%～51.22%,最符合烟草对不同形态氮素的吸收比例,有助于提高烟株产质量。综上所述,每公顷施用2 250 kg特制有机肥最适宜贵州黄壤烟草种植。     

模拟石灰添加对雷竹林土壤氮矿化的影响

土壤酸化是临安雷竹林竹笋生产的主要障碍因子之一。为了提高雷竹笋的产量,改良酸性土壤,提高土壤供氮能力极为重要。本研究以不同种植年限的雷竹林土壤为研究对象,通过模拟试验分析了石灰添加对土壤供氮能力的影响。试验采用Stanford间歇淋洗好气培养法,研究不同石灰添加量处理的土壤氮矿化动力学特征。结果表明,雷竹林土壤随着种植年限增加,pH显著降低,表层有机质和氮素显著积累。不同石灰添加量处理的雷竹林土壤119 天氮矿化过程符合一级反应动力学方程。与对照相比,施用石灰后,土壤氮供应综合指数均有不同程度的提高,说明添加石灰可显著提高土壤氮的有效性。经估算,当前雷竹林每千克土壤施用石灰4 ~ 8 g较适宜,石灰施用过多,会导致土壤矿质氮的过量积累,进而增加氮素损失。因此,通过合理施用石灰,可以缓解雷竹林土壤酸化和提高土壤供氮潜力,增强雷竹的可持续经营。     

污泥堆肥对盐碱土土壤环境和作物生长的影响

以城市污水处理厂污泥堆肥为研究对象,采用盆栽试验方法研究不同用量(0%,5%,10%,20%)污泥堆肥施入盐碱土后,对玉米、大豆生长情况及土壤环境的影响。结果表明,施用污泥堆肥可降低盐碱土pH值和总盐含量,提高土壤养分及酶活,增加土壤微生物量碳、微生物量氮,同时施用污泥堆肥土壤重金属Zn、Cu含量增加,当施用量为20%时,土壤Zn含量超标。另外,玉米和大豆在污泥堆肥施用比例分别为10%和5%时长势最佳,且作物籽粒中重金属含量在国家食品卫生标准范围内。     

甜玉米/白三叶草秸秆还田的碳氮矿化研究

豆科/禾本科作物间套作后进行秸秆还田能补充土壤养分,缓解集约化农业生产对环境的压力.根据田间甜玉米/白三叶草套种各作物的秸秆产量,在恒温恒湿条件下进行室内培养,探讨秸秆不同方式还田后土壤微生物量碳、微生物量氮、呼吸产生的CO2和矿化产生的无机氮的变化规律.研究发现,各施肥处理的土壤微生物量碳、微生物量氮均在培养前期出现峰值,后期平稳降低;甜玉米秸秆和白三叶草绿肥同时还田的土壤微生物量碳、微生物量氮在各培养时期均最大,峰值分别达529.57 mg·kg-1和75.50 mg·kg-1,土壤呼吸产生的CO2最多;白三叶草绿肥单独还田有利于土壤无机氮的释放,培养第26 d 无机氮达到最大值,为29.81 mg·kg-1,之后一直在对照处理的1.60倍以上,第80 d达到2.48倍;甜玉米秸秆单独还田不利于土壤无机氮的释放,培养的第26 d至结束,甜玉米秸秆处理的无机氮为对照的13%～53%,最大为7.51 mg·kg-1;甜玉米秸秆配施尿素,短期内不利于土壤无机氮矿化.结果表明,施用有机物料能引起土壤有机质的短期快速转化,甜玉米秸秆和白三叶草绿肥配施有利于维持较大基数的土壤微生物量,单施白三叶草绿肥土壤微生物活性强,最有利于土壤速效氮的释放.     

浅层淹水条件下不同施肥处理对黑土氮素净转化的影响

以东北旱作黑土为对象,在25℃和浅层淹水条件下开展了为期35 d的室内培养试验,研究不同施肥处理对黑土矿化作用和硝化作用的影响。结果表明,浅层淹水条件下土壤矿化作用和硝化作用仍能进行。与不施肥对照处理相比,施用氮肥抑制了培养初期的有机氮矿化,但对后期氮矿化没有影响。氮肥施用初期对硝化作用没有影响,但2周后显著促进了硝化作用的进行。培养期间单施氮肥处理的平均净矿化速率为N 1.07 mg/(kg·d),与对照处理没有显著差异;平均净硝化速率为N 4.50 mg/(kg·d),是对照处理的2.43倍。浅层淹水条件下氮肥配施有机物料显著促进了土壤无机氮的生物固定,培养初期氮肥配施秸秆处理的无机氮固定量大于氮肥配施猪粪处理,后期则相对稍低,氮肥配施猪粪和配施秸秆处理的平均净氮矿化速率分别为N-5.61和-3.15 mg/(kg·d),两者间差异显著。与单施氮肥处理相比,浅层淹水条件下氮肥配施有机物料显著抑制了土壤硝化作用,培养期间氮肥配施猪粪和氮肥配施秸秆处理的平均净硝化速率分别为N 0.29和0.18 mg/(kg·d),分别比单施氮肥处理下降了93.5%和96.0%。     

油菜秸秆生物质炭对紫色土有机碳矿化和累积效应的影响

采用室内模拟培养试验,以油菜秸秆为对比,分析油菜秸秆生物质炭的施用对紫色土有机碳矿化的影响。在培养试验中,设置0.25%,0.5%和1%3个不同秸秆/土壤质量比的油菜秸秆还田培养处理,依次标记为J_1,J_2和J_3;同时,设置3个不同油菜秸秆生物质炭添加量的培养处理,其生物质炭添加量分别为J_1,J_2和J_3处理中添加的等量油菜秸秆在600℃下制成的生物质炭量,依次标记为S_1,S_2和S_3,所有处理置于25℃下避光培养56d。在培养期内,各处理中土壤有机碳(SOC)矿化速率随时间的变化符合乘幂函数。添加生物质炭处理的SOC累积矿化量、矿化强度和易分解有机碳占总有机碳含量的比例(Ca/CSOC)显著低于与其对应的油菜秸秆处理(P0.05),表明油菜秸秆经过热解制成生物质炭后可显著提高其在土壤中的稳定性。各添加生物质炭处理的SOC累积矿化量、矿化强度、Ca/CSOC和难分解有机碳占总有机碳含量的比例(Cs/CSOC)与对照(无外源碳添加)之间无显著性差异,添加生物质炭几乎不影响紫色土有机碳的分解。另外,S_1处理中外源碳的表观残留率显著高于其它培养处理,而S_2和S_3处理中外源碳的表观残留率则显著低于与其对应的油菜秸秆处理(J_2和J_3)(P0.05)。这表明在低量油菜秸秆还田时,将其制成生物质炭还田比直接还田更利于紫色土有机碳的积累。     

Effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LASs) on Exogenous Organic Matter Content and Evolution in Sewage Sludge–Amended Soils

Abstract

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LASs) are anionic surfactants commonly used in commercial detergents. A potential risk associated with the recycling of sewage waste materials is the presence of LASs and their primary degradation products, which could accumulate in sludge, especially during anaerobic processing. The long‐term accumulation of these contaminants in soils and especially the potential disturbance of soil functions need to be studied in more detail. In our study, the influence of the amendment added to an agricultural soil with different organic wastes containing LASs on organic matter content and nitrogen (N) content evolution and mineralization was studied in field conditions. A completely randomized 3×3 factorial arrangement, representing two sewage sludge types (composted and uncomposted) and three levels of LAS presence (0, 15, and 30 g/m²) in treated soils, was established using field plots (7×2 m); the results are compared with untreated plots. Statistical models based on covariance analysis were used to understand the dynamics of and the main factors influencing carbon (C) and N mineralization in sewage sludge amended–soils in the presence of LAS. LAS seemed to alter nitrogen mineralization, especially the nitrate dynamics.     

Carbon mineralization in an arid soil amended with thermally-dried and composted sewage sludges

Soil amendment with sewage sludge (SS) from municipal wastewater treatment plants is nowadays a common practice for both increasing soil organic matter and nutrient contents and waste disposal. However, the application of organic amendments that are not sufficiently mature and stable may adversely affect soil properties. Composting and thermal drying are treatments designed to minimize these possible deleterious effects and to facilitate the use of SS as a soil organic amendment. In this work, an arid soil either unamended or amended with composted sewage sludge (CSS) or thermally-dried sewage sludge (TSS) was moistened to an equivalent of 60% soil water holding capacity and incubated for 60 days at 28 °C. The C–CO₂ emission from the samples was periodically measured in order to study C mineralization kinetics and evaluate the use of these SS as organic amendments. In all cases, C mineralization decreased after the first day. TSS-amended soil showed significantly higher mineralization rates than unamended and CSS-amended soils during the incubation period. The data of cumulative C–CO₂ released from unamended and SS-amended soils were fitted to six different kinetic models. A two simultaneous reactions model, which considers two organic pools with different degree of biodegradability, was found to be the most appropriate to describe C mineralization kinetics for all the soils. The parameters derived from this model suggested a larger presence of easily biodegradable compounds in TSS-amended soil than in CSS-amended soil, which in turn presented a C mineralization pattern very similar to that of the unamended soil. Furthermore, net mineralization coefficient and complementary mineralization coefficient were calculated from C mineralization data. The largest losses of C were measured for TSS-amended soil probably due to an extended microbial activity. The results obtained thus indicated that CSS is more efficient for increasing total organic C in arid soils.     

堆肥污泥连续施用对酸性砂土肥力影响及养分积累风险

为研究添加堆肥污泥对酸性砂土养分和肥力的影响,并探究污泥施用后的养分积累风险,本研究采用盆栽试验,通过施用不同量堆肥污泥,研究两年连续小麦-玉米轮作模式下酸性砂土养分和肥力变化规律,并利用有机指数(OI)和单因子标准指数(S_i)分别针对砂土有机碳(OC)和全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)进行积累风险评价。结果表明,连续两年在酸性砂土上施用污泥提高了土壤的有机质、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、速效磷、有效钾含量、pH值和土壤综合肥力指数(IFI),均随污泥施用量的增加呈上升趋势。砂土中连续两年污泥施用,土壤有机指数(OI)等级表现为Ⅰ级清洁型,故污泥添加导致土壤有机碳的淋失风险较小;全氮的S_i等级同样为Ⅰ级清洁型,而土壤全磷的S_i在2017年小麦和玉米季污泥施用量为37.50 t·hm^-2时,达到Ⅱ级较清洁型,因此与氮素相比,污泥施用增加了砂土磷素淋失风险。可见,污泥农用可以改善酸性砂土的养分状况,但也需要注意污泥过量施用造成的养分积累风险。本研究结果为污泥在酸性砂土的合理施用提供了依据。     

不同类型的污泥对土壤微生物性质的影响: 地中海退化土的田间试验研究

The recycling of suitable organic wastes can enhance soil fertility via effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. To compare the effects of digested (DS), thermally dried (TDS) and composted dewatered (CDS) sewage sludge on soil microbiological properties, an experiment was conducted at field sites for more than one year (401 d) when applied to two Mediterranean degraded soils (loam and loamy sand soils). All three types of sewage sludge had a significant effect on measured parameters. I...     

Effects of sewage sludge stabilization on organic‐N mineralization in two soils

Sewage sludge is a valuable source of organic matter, N, P and certain micronutrients that have beneficial effects on plant growth and biomass production. However, sanitary regulations often require the stabilization of sewage materials prior to applying them to soils as biosolids. Environmental regulations also demand appropriate management of biosolid‐N to avoid groundwater contamination. Because stabilization processes usually make sewage sludge less putrescible, we hypothesized that the mineralization rates of organic‐N from stabilized biosolids would be affected. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the mineralization of five biosolids in two soils – a sandy Spodosol and a clayey Oxisol. Digested sludge, composted sludge, limed sludge, heat‐dried sludge and solar‐irradiated sludge were mixed with soil samples at a concentration of 32.6 mg N/kg soil (1.0 dry t/ha of digested sludge) and incubated at 25 °C in a humidity chamber for 23 weeks. Results showed that the stabilization processes generally slowed the release of mineral‐N in soils relative to the digested sludge from which the biosolids originated. However, increments in the levels of mineral‐N were more influenced by soil type than by the type of stabilization process applied to the sewage sludge. Mineralization rates were up to 5‐fold higher in the Oxisol than in the Spodosol soil, and as a result, organic‐N in biosolids mineralized 10–24% in Spodosol and 23–52% in Oxisol. Any appropriate plan for the management of biosolid‐N for plant use should consider the interaction between soil type and biosolid type.     

Response of tall fescue to composted sewage sludge used as a soil amendment

A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to investigate the effects of composted sewage sludge as a soil amendment on growth and mineral composition of ‘Mustang’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Three desert soils (loamy sand, sandy loam, clay) were amended with two different composted sewage sludges (city and county) at rates of 0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 60% by volume. Tall fescue was grown in the amended soils for four months. Growth rates, measured as harvested clippings, increased with sludge loading rate and also with clay content of the soil. Higher growth rates were maintained with the city as compared to the county sludge, although for both sources, growth declined for most treatments after nine weeks. Turf color ratings and percent N in the tissue increased with sludge loading rate and were highly correlated. Tissue analysis indicated a varied response between soil types.     

半干旱土添加有机改良剂后有机质的化学结构变化

A 9-month incubation experiment using composted and non-composted amendments derived from vine pruning waste and sewage sludge was carried out to study the effects of the nature and stability of organic amendments on the structural composition of organic matter (OM) in a semi-arid soil.The changes of soil OM,both in the whole soil and in the extractable carbon with pyrophosphate,were evaluated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography and chemical analyses.By the end of the experiment,the soils amended with pruning waste exhibited less organic carbon loss than those receiving sewage sludge.The non-composted residues increased the aliphatic-pyrolytic products of the OM,both in the whole soil and also in the pyrophosphate extract,with the products derived from peptides and proteins being significantly higher.After 9 months,in the soils amended with pruning waste the relative abundance of phenolic-pyrolytic products derived from phenolic compounds,lignin and proteins in the whole soil tended to increase more than those in the soils amended with sewage sludge.However,the extractable OM with pyrophosphate in the soils amended with composted residues tended to have higher contents of these phenolic-pyrolytic products than that in non-composted ones.Thus,despite the stability of pruning waste,the composting of this material promoted the incorporation of phenolic compounds to the soil OM.The pyrolytic indices (furfural/pyrrole and aliphatic/aromatic ratios) showed the diminution of aliphatic compounds and the increase of aromatic compounds,indicating the stabilization of the OM in the amended soils after 9 months.In conclusion,the changes of soil OM depend on the nature and stability of the organic amendments,with composted vine pruning waste favouring humification.     

Sorption of s-Triazine Herbicides in Organic Matter Amended Soils: Fresh and Incubated Systems

Fresh amendment of soil with sewage sludge and composted sewage sludge resulted in increased sorption of three s-triazine herbicides: atrazine, ametryn and terbuthylazine. The extent of increased sorption (as evaluated by sorption coefficients K_d or K_f) was a function of soil type, such that sorption in amended organic carbon-poor soil (0.4% OC) was more enhanced than in amended organic carbon-rich soil (1.55% OC). Despite significant differences between the organic amendments in terms of humic and fulvic acid content, humin content, soluble organic matter content, total organic matter content, and H/C and O/C atomic ratios, organic matter composition had no discernible effect on either sorption distribution coefficients or on isotherm linearity in amended soils. Soils amended with composted sludge had the same sorption potential as did soils amended with the analogous uncomposted sludge. After incubating soil-sludge mixtures for a year at room temperature, organic matter content decreased to original pre-amendment levels. Sorption coefficients for the three compounds similarly decreased to initial pre-amendment values. Organic carbon normalized sorption coefficients (K_oc) were essentially identical in the soils, amended soils, and incubated amended soils, indicating that sludge and compost derived organic matter does not have a significantly different sorption capacity as compared with the original soils, despite compositional differences.     

Impact of Sewage Sludge Compost Utilization on Chemical Properties of Olive Grove Soils

Field experiments were conducted for four years, between 1998 and 2002, in two olive grove soils of adult olive orchards (Olea europaea L. cv. Cornicabra) in a clay loam soil in Seseña (Toledo, Spain) and in a sandy loam soil in Aranjuez (Madrid, Spain). There were four treatments, sewage sludge compost (SSC), sewage sludge compost plus urea (SSC+U), urea (U) and control (C). Each treatment was replicated four times and two depths were studied (0-15 and 15-30 cm). Once a year, before spreading sewage sludge compost, soil samples were taken at depths of 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm. Organic matter, total Kjeldhal nitrogen, phosphorus availability, pH, and electric conductivity were measured. No differences were found between treatment on organic matter and electric conductivity after four years of application of sewage sludge compost to two olive grove soils. In relation to nitrogen content, sewage sludge compost, only in Seseña, produced higher nitrogen soil content than the traditional urea treatment. Sewage sludge compost applied on olive grove soils improved the Phosphorus availability for the olive tree. In Aranjuez, the use of sewage sludge compost increased the pH of the soil with respect to Urea and Control plots. In Seseña, the reverse effect was found.     

Growth of apple seedlings on sludge‐amended soils in the greenhouse

Abstract

Open pollinated ‘York Imperial’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) seeds were germinated and grown for a period of 7 months in: (1) sand with complete nutrient solutions added; (2) limed and unlimed soil, (3) limed and unlimed soil amended with two different sewage sludges at rates of 25, 50 or 100 dry kg ha^‐1. A third composted, lime stabilized sludge was added either sieved or non‐sieved (to remove wood chips) at the same rates. The sludge materials used were: (1) a high metal, composted sludge from Baltimore, MD (BALT); (2) a high Cd sewage sludge (CITY) and (3) a low metal, composted sewage sludge from Washington, D.C. (DC).

Germination was unaffected by treatments. After 7 months, the best growth was obtained from the sand plus nutrient solution media. Two of the three sludge materials increased seedling growth over that of the soil, either limed or unlimed. The BALT compost treated soils produced the lowest growth, particularly when unlimed. Elevated tissue metal levels indicated that Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni were the probable causes of reduced growth noted from the BALT compost treatment. The use of soil with or without low metal sludges as media for early apple seedling growth when compared to standard sand culture is not recommended.