钾硅钙微孔矿物肥对褐潮土水稻生长及土壤性状的影响

盆栽试验设置不施肥、常规施肥、常规施肥+钾硅钙微孔矿物肥4 g·盆^-1、常规施肥+钾硅钙微孔矿物肥8 g·盆^-1、常规施肥+钾硅钙微孔矿物肥12 g·盆^-1 5 个处理, 研究了自主研制的钾硅钙微孔矿物肥对褐潮土水稻生长、产量及土壤理化性状的影响。结果表明: 与常规施肥相比, 加施钾硅钙微孔矿物肥后土壤容重降低0.04 g·cm^-3, 土壤孔隙度增加1.8%, 土壤有效硅、有效钾含量分别提高9.4~27.0 mg·kg^-1 和10.6~39.7mg·kg^-1, 土壤pH 提高0.1 个单位。在水稻生长方面, 加施矿物肥可提高叶片叶绿素含量, 旗叶面积最高增加4.8 cm², 有效穗数增加2.3~5.0 穗·盆^-1, 千粒重提高0.1~1.9 g, 水稻平均增产幅度达13.6%。加施钾硅钙微孔矿物肥后氮、磷、钾肥利用率分别提高0.6%~7.5%、0.1%~1.5%和8.5%~13.5%。基于产量分析, 褐潮土钾硅钙微孔矿物肥的最佳施用量为4 g·盆^-1(相当于450 kg·hm^-2)。     

紫苏对不同浓度镉胁迫的生理响应

为探讨紫苏的耐镉生理机制, 通过水培试验, 研究了镉离子浓度为0 mg·L^-1(对照)、2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 条件下紫苏的生长、镉富集作用及叶片的保护酶活性。结果表明, 2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 镉胁迫下, 紫苏单株生物量比对照分别减少28.4%、42.4%、66.0%, 不同处理间均存在极显著差异;3 个镉离浓度下紫苏的镉富集量依次为462.4 μg·株^-1、705.0 μg·株^-1、609.7 μg·株^-1, 富集系数依次为91.9、70.0、51.1, 具备镉超积累能力。此外, SOD、POD、CAT 酶活测定结果显示, 随镉离子浓度升高, 紫苏叶片的SOD 活性和MDA 含量显著升高, POD 和CAT 活性显著下降, 破坏了体内保护酶系统的平衡, 抑制紫苏生长。     

氟 对玉米产量品质及土壤性质的影响

适量氟对动物和人类健康有益, 而过量氟对动物和人类健康有害。为研究氟对玉米产量品质及土壤性质的影响, 采用盆栽试验研究了添加0、100 mg·kg^-1、200 mg·kg^-1、500 mg·kg^-1、1 000 mg·kg^-1 和1 500 mg·kg^-1 氟(NaF)对玉米产量、粗蛋白和淀粉含量及土壤pH、水溶性钙和微生物数量的影响。结果表明: 随氟处理浓度的增加玉米产量显著降低, 减产9.9%~85.4%; 玉米籽粒蛋白质含量显著增加, 从91.8 g·kg^-1 增加到108.8 g·kg^-1。加入氟100 mg·kg^-1 和200 mg·kg^-1 时, 淀粉含量表现为下降趋势,而当加入氟500 mg·kg^-1、1 000 mg·kg^-1 和1 500 mg·kg^-1 时, 淀粉含量表现为上升趋势。玉米不同部位氟含量基本上随氟浓度的增加而增加, 玉米根部和籽粒含氟量与氟添加量的相关性达极显著水平, 相关系数分别为r_根=0.998^**和r_粒=0.915^**; 叶含氟量与氟添加量的相关性达显著水平, r_叶=0.852^*; 玉米不同部位氟含量的大小顺序为根>叶>叶鞘>茎>籽粒。氟浓度在200 mg·kg^-1 时, 籽粒含氟量已超过无公害农产品标准1.0 mg·kg^-1。石灰性土壤添加氟后, 可使土壤pH 增加,从8.05 增加到8.70; 水溶性钙含量显著下降, 由2.71 g·kg^-1 下降到1.02 g·kg^-1。随氟浓度的增加土壤放线菌数量显著降低, 与对照相比, 降低0.92%~65.22%; 低浓度的氟可以促进土壤细菌、真菌的生长, 而高浓度的氟可以抑制细菌、真菌的生长。     

不同矿化度咸水造墒灌溉对棉花生长发育和产量的影响

采用裂区设计, 灌溉量作为主处理, 灌溉水的矿化度作为副处理, 研究了播前不同灌溉量下不同矿化度咸水对棉花生长发育及产量的影响。研究结果表明, 不同矿化度咸水灌溉对棉花出苗时间和出苗率的影响差异较大, 随灌溉水矿化度的增大, 棉花出苗速度变缓, 出苗率降低, 其中4 g·L^-1 以下的咸水灌溉处理棉花出苗率在90%以上, 6 g·L^-1 矿化度处理平均出苗率仍可达85%左右, 但出苗时间推迟。播种前咸水灌溉量以22.5~34.0 mm 为宜。灌溉水矿化度对棉花生长发育的影响程度前期大于后期, 前期大于4 g·L^-1 矿化度处理表现出明显的抑制生长作用, 后期大于6 g·L^-1 矿化度处理才表现出明显的抑制生长作用。从产量上看, 棉花的咸水矿化度计算阈值为3.38 g·L^-1, 即在矿化度小于3.38 g·L^-1 时, 咸水灌溉的棉花产量与淡水灌溉产量差异不明显, 高于此矿化度阈值时, 棉花产量呈直线下降趋势; 但低于8 g·L^-1 咸水灌溉的棉花产量均显著高于纯旱地的棉花产量。     

溶质类型与矿化度对半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤水分有效性的影响

盐渍化土壤水分有效性是制约土地生产能力的关键因素之一。研究不同盐分类型及矿化度的盐溶液对土壤水分有效性的影响, 可为微咸水合理灌溉以及促进土壤生产潜力的发挥提供科学依据。本研究采用离心法在室内研究了脱水过程中灌溉水的溶质类型(NaCl和Na₂SO₄)与矿化度(0、1 g·L^-1、3 g·L^-1、5 g·L^-1、10 g·L^-1)对半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤水分有效性的影响。结果表明: 不同矿化度的NaCl和Na2SO4处理均可使田间持水量、暂时萎蔫系数、永久萎蔫系数、迟效水和无效水较对照有所降低。不同矿化度的NaCl处理以及1 g·L^-1的Na₂SO₄处理土壤全有效水和速效水都较对照增加, 3 g·L^-1、5 g·L^-1和10 g·L^-1的Na₂SO₄处理土壤全有效水和速效水都较对照减小。不同矿化度的NaCl和Na₂SO₄处理均可使土壤通气孔隙和毛管孔隙相对减少, 非活性孔隙增大, 其中矿化度为5 g·L^-1的NaCl和Na₂SO₄处理对其影响最为明显, 通气孔隙分别较对照减小16.8%和14.8%, 毛管孔隙分别较对照减小5.2%和6.5%, 非活性孔隙分别较对照增加15.7%和14.4%。NaCl对于土壤比水容量和毛管断裂的延迟效果比NaSO₄明显。且土壤溶液盐分含量增加, 土壤持水能力下降、供水性能增加而土壤抗旱性降低。     

缓释肥对紫色土油菜生长和养分吸收利用的影响

分析缓释专用配方肥与当地常用肥对油菜生物量、氮磷钾养分吸收利用及其在土壤中累积的影响,为油菜节肥高效生产提供依据。通过大田试验,以油菜品种三峡油5号为试验材料,设置6种施肥处理：以不施肥（F₀）和常规施肥(F_c)为对照处理,缓释专用配方肥设置4种施肥水平(F₃₇₅: 375 kg·hm^-2,F₅₂₅: 525 kg·hm^-2,F₆₇₅: 675 kg·hm^-2,F₈₂₅: 825 kg·hm^-2)。结果表明,不同施用量的缓释专用肥料对油菜产量、单株有效角果数以F₆₇₅处理最大,F₈₂₅处理次之,F₃₇₅处理最小,其分别较F_c 处理增产43.54%、36.82%、13.88%;施用缓释专用配方肥油菜氮养分损失率从F_c处理的78.30%降低至53.97% ~ 73.66%;磷养分损失率从F_c处理的56.65%降低至20.53% ~ 46.13%;施用缓释专用肥料油菜收获期根区土壤全氮、全磷与全钾含量从F_c处理的0.651 0 g·kg^-1、0.404 4 g·kg^-1与20.74 g·kg^-1上升至0.661 7 ~0.691 4 g·kg^-1、0.407 2~0.496 0 g·kg^-1与28.96~29.50 g·kg^-1。施肥大幅增加油菜生物量,缓释专用配方肥的施用不仅利于提升肥料利用率,同时使得根区土壤养分含量变化较小,结合农业可持续发展,实际生产应该施用缓释专用肥。     

施肥和行距配置对糯玉米群体冠层内微环境及群体干物质积累量的影响

在田间试验条件下, 以糯玉米"凤糯6号"为试验材料, 研究了相同密度下, 不同施肥量(600 kg·hm^-2、750 kg·hm^-2、900 kg·hm^-2, 基肥、追肥等量)和不同行距配置(50 cm、60 cm、70 cm和80 cm)对糯玉米群体冠层内温度、光照强度、相对湿度、CO₂浓度、光温分布以及群体水分利用率、群体干物质积累和蒸煮品质的影响。结果表明: 糯玉米群体冠层内微环境除了受灌浆时期、一天中不同时间段影响, 还受行距和施肥量影响。行距70 cm时, 糯玉米群体冠层内平均温度最小; 行距为70 cm、施肥量600 kg·hm^-2时, 灌浆初期、中期和后期的光照强度都表现出最大值, 分别为236.2 μmol·m²·s^-1、275.3 μmol·m^-2·s^-1和285.4 μmol·m^-2·s^-1; 冠层相对湿度在行距70 cm、施肥量900 kg·hm^-2时最大, 在灌浆3个时期最高相对湿度分别比最低值高41.99%、33.98%和36.11%; 灌浆初期CO₂浓度最大值发生在行距80 cm、施肥量为600 kg·hm^-2时, 为362.4 mg·m^-3, 灌浆中期和后期最大值发生在行距70 cm、施肥量为600 kg·hm^-2时, 为363.4 mg·m^-3和385.7 mg·m^-3。在行距70 cm、施肥量为900 kg·hm^-2时, 灌浆3个时期水分利用效率最高, 分别比最低值高14.75%、15.18%、14.46%; 干物质积累量和生长率最大, 分别为5 066.4 kg·hm^-2和14.3 kg·hm^-2·d^-1、383.2 kg·hm^-2和15.3 kg·hm^-2·d^-1以及 13 213.4 kg·hm^-2和19.7 kg·hm^-2·d^-1。糯玉米蒸煮品质即感官品质、气味、风味、色泽、糯性、柔嫩性、皮厚薄等在行距70 cm、施肥量为900 kg·hm^-2时最佳。     

广西和福建荔枝园土壤农药残留现状研究

荔枝收获完毕后在广西壮族自治区及福建省荔枝主产区采集210 个荔枝园土壤样本, 检测了甲霜灵、代森锰锌、多菌灵、溴氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯、敌百虫、乐果和敌敌畏等9 种荔枝常用农药的含量。结果显示, 多菌灵是广西和福建荔枝园土壤最常检出的农药, 检出率分别为48.1%和84.0%。广西荔枝产区土壤代森锰锌、敌百虫和乐果均未检出, 其他5 种农药检出率均低于10%。福建荔枝产区甲霜灵和氯氰菊酯检出率均为24.0%, 其他6 种农药均未检出。广西荔枝产区土壤未检出或只检出1 种农药荔枝园分别占采样荔枝园的48.6%和38.4%, 福建荔枝产区分别占56.0%和8.0%; 检出2 种农药的广西荔枝园占11.4%,福建占32.0%。广西荔枝园土壤平均含量最高的农药为氯氰菊酯(5.0 μg·kg^-1), 敌敌畏次之(1.9 μg·kg^-1), 其他4 种检出农药不超过1.0 μg·kg^-1。福建荔枝园土壤平均含量为多菌灵(0.77 μg·kg^-1)>甲霜灵(0.65 μg·kg^-1)>氯氰菊酯(0.48μg·kg^-1)。虽然福建荔枝园土壤农药残留比广西普遍, 但两地荔枝园土壤农药残留仍属轻微。     

生物肥对氯嘧磺隆残留的降解及对水稻生长的影响

为筛选具有降解氯嘧磺隆残留和作物增产效果的优质生物肥, 采用田间小区模拟试验, 研究了不同浓度氯嘧磺隆施用下, 3种生物肥对氯嘧磺隆残留的降解及对水稻生长的影响。结果表明, 供试的农大生物菌剂、世绿环保生物肥和农大生物肥对施用量分别为3 μg·kg^-1和6 μg·kg^-1的氯嘧磺隆残留均有降解作用, 对施用量为6 μg·kg^-1的氯嘧磺隆残留的降解率分别为61.5%、58.3%和62.7%, 比自然降解率分别高17.8%、14.6%和19.0%。土壤中氯嘧磺隆施用量为0.03 μg·kg^-1时即对水稻株高、穗长、结实率和产量性状产生明显影响, 氯嘧磺隆施用量越大药害影响越显著。3种供试生物肥均可解除0.03 μg·kg^-1氯嘧磺隆的残留对水稻产量的影响, 但随氯嘧磺隆施用量的增加, 供试生物肥虽可减轻药害影响, 但不能完全解除残留药害。农大生物菌剂和农大生物肥解除氯嘧磺隆残留药害能力高于世绿环保生物肥。田间氯嘧磺隆的施用量小于0.03 μg·kg^-1时, 施用供试的3种生物肥均可保证水稻生产安全。     

不同灌溉处理下冬小麦水平衡与灌溉增产效率研究

水资源是华北平原冬小麦、夏玉米种植区最重要的生产制约因素, 农业水资源高效利用具有重大的社会需要。通过设置冬小麦不同灌溉处理, 分析了各处理的水分平衡、产量和灌溉增产效率。结果显示: 1)不同灌溉处理具有不同的水分平衡过程, 雨养农田、充分灌溉处理、返青水胁迫处理、拔节抽穗水胁迫处理和灌浆水胁迫处理的蒸散量分别为251±58 mm、482±48 mm、352±44 mm、388±22 mm 和324±53 mm; 2)灌溉量对于小麦产量的增加具有明显的正效应, 拔节-抽穗水胁迫对作物产量有较大影响, 灌浆水胁迫和返青水胁迫均没有对小麦产量造成明显影响; 雨养农业的经济产量为2 950±635 kg·hm^-2, 充分灌溉下的经济产量约为5 994±994 kg·hm^-2; 冬小麦返青期、拔节抽穗期、灌浆期施加适度的水分胁迫, 产量分别为5 163±885kg·hm^-2、5 047±1 180 kg·hm^-2、5 249±975 kg·hm^-2, 与充分灌溉相比, 没有明显的产量下降; 3)小麦的灌溉增产效率存在明显的年际差异, 在丰水年或特丰水年, 灌溉增产效率为1.9 kg·m^-3, 在枯水年为0.4 kg·m^-3, 平水年为1.6 kg·m^-3。     

Soil amendment with municipal sewage sludge affects the immune system of earthworms Dendrobaena veneta

Dendrobaena veneta is an earthworm species capable of consuming a wide range of organic wastes which may be used as a field indicator of municipal sewage sludge applied to land. The aim of the present 8-week laboratory experiment was to check viability, reproduction and the immune system of D. veneta maintained in soil without food additions (control 0s group) or in soil amended with 25% or 50% municipal sewage sludge (25s and 50s groups, respectively). Reproduction and immunity are important physiological functions whose detailed study can provide information on the effects of pollutants. After the 8-week exposure period, earthworm mortality (2 out 20 individuals) was recorded only in the 50s group. Reproduction was high in the 25s group (44 cocoons and 41 juveniles) whereas reproduction was almost completely inhibited both in the food-deprived control 0s group (1 cocoon, 3 juveniles) and in the 50s group containing a high amount of sludge (2 cocoons). Significantly increased numbers of non-invasively extruded coelomocytes were recorded 3 weeks after the start of the experiment in the 50s group, but they dropped to the food-deprived control level by the end of 8 weeks likely due to exhaustion of the immune system coping with sludge-derived microbes and/or toxins. In contrast, numbers of coelomocytes in the 25s group increased gradually reaching the maximum at the end of the experiments. In conclusion, high amounts of municipal sewage sludge are detrimental to worms, inhibiting reproduction and inflicting mortality. A moderate amount of municipal sewage sludge provides a good source of nutrients for D. veneta, supporting their growth and reproduction for at least 8 weeks. Immunological parameters might serve as useful indicators of earthworm exposure to sewage sludge.     

Die Wirkung von ausgefaultem Klärschlamm auf den Stoffwechsel 3jähriger Fichten und Kiefern

Effect of digested sewage sludge on the metabolism of three year old spruce and pine trees. Three year old Norway spruce and Scots pine trees were grown in mixtures of sand and sewage sludge. The mixtures used were composed of 5 litres of sand and 1.25 or 1.67 litres of digested sewage sludges from municipal waste water treatment plants. A mixture of 5 litres of sand and 1.67 litres of peat was used as a control. In all cases sewage sludge depressed growth as measured by height and the yields of fresh material. The contents of N, Ca, Mg, Zn in the needle dry matter were higher than in control. The P content was only increased in the newly formed needles in the high sewage sludge treatments. However, the corresponding Mn contents were depressed, also the K contents in spruce. The higher rate of nitrogen assimilation, in the sewage sludge treatments especially in spruce, lead to a greater accumulation of the amino acid arginine and also to a reduction in the content of organic acids and polyphenols. These effects do not explain why some plants died. For spruce a lethal factor appears to be the depression of water uptake combined with high transpiration. The ratio of K/Ca in the needles was extremly low, which indicated a possibility of both potassium deficiency and calcium toxicity. The observed enrichment of proline is also associated with water stress. Scot pine was more sensitive than spruce to treatment with sewage sludge. In all treatments with sludge some Scot pine trees died, especially when municipal wastewater sewage sludge was used.     

城市污泥的污染现状及其土地利用评价

随着城市污泥产生量的迅速增加,污泥的科学处置及土地利用是当前城市固体废弃物资源化的主要研究内容。本文较系统地阐述了污泥的基本性质、污泥污染和处置现状及土地利用的风险评价等相关研究,并指出了目前城市污泥研究中存在的问题。     

施用生活污泥改良滩涂土壤理化性状的探讨

采用符合土地改良用标准的生活污泥为材料,通过田间小区随机区组试验,研究了生活污泥的不同施用量（0、75、150、300、600 t/hm2）对滩涂土壤部分理化性质的影响。结果表明,施用生活污泥可显著改善滩涂土壤的理化性状。随着污泥施用量的提高,滩涂土壤的容重、密度、pH值逐渐下降,有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效磷、CEC均呈上升趋势,全钾、速效钾无显著变化。滩涂土壤的细菌、放线菌数量随污泥施用量的提高呈上升趋势。     

Effect of sewage sludge on suppressiveness to soil-borne plant pathogens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge on soil suppressiveness to the pathogens Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici on tomato, Sclerotium rolfsii on bean, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on tomato, Rhizoctonia solani on radish, Pythium spp. on cucumber, and Ralstonia solanacearum on tomato. Soil samples were collected from an experimental corn field in which sewage sludge had been incorporated once a year, since 1999. Sludge from two sewage treatment stations in Brazil (Franca and Barueri, SP) were applied at the rates of one (1N), two (2N), four (4N) and eight (8N) times the N recommended doses for the corn crop. Soil suppressiveness was evaluated by methods using indicator host plants, baits and mycelial growth. There was no effect of sewage sludge on soil suppressiveness to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in tomato plants. For S. rolfsii, reduction of the disease in bean was inversely proportional to the dose of Franca sludge. The incidence of dead plants, caused by S. sclerotiorum, was directly proportional to sludge doses applied. For R. solani and R. solanacearum, there was a linear trend with reduction in plant death in soils treated with increasing amounts of sludge from Franca. There was an increase in the pathogen community of Pythium spp., proportional to the amounts of sewage applied. The effects of sewage sludge varied depending on the pathogen, methodology applied and on the time interval between the sewage sludge incorporation and soil sampling.     

Content and chemical form of mercury and selenium in soil,sludge, and fertilizer materials

The content and chemical from of Hg and Se were determined for several samples of municipal sewage sludge and sludge ash, garden soil having a history of sludge and residential compost application, and selected fertilizer materials (peat moss, cow manure, residential compost, composted municipal refuse and sewage sludge, Miloganite). Municipal sewage sludge had the highest levels of total Hg (averaging 1240 ppb), while sludge ash had the lowest levels (averaging 5.6 ppb). Total Se levels were lowest in compost (averaging 255 ppb), while being highest in sludge ash (averaging 11550 ppb). The methylmercury percentage was fairly constant for all samples, averaging 6.0% of the total Hg content. Hexavalent Se averaged 24.3 of the total Se content, and was notably higher in sludge and fertilizer samples. Successive annual application of sludge and compost to garden soil resulted in a gradual increase of total Hg and Se in the soil, but had no significant influence on chemical form distribution for both elements.     

Changes in the microbial activity of an arid soil amended with urban organic wastes

Changes produced in the biological characteristics of an arid soil by the addition of various urban wastes (municipal solid waste, sewage sludge and compost) at different doses, were evaluated during a 360-day incubation experiment. The addition of organic materials to the soil increased the values of biomass carbon, basal respiration, biomass C/total organic C ratio and metabolic quotient (qCO₂), indicating the activation of soil microorganisms. These biological parameters showed a decreasing tendency with time. Nevertheless, their values in amended soils were higher than in control soil, which clearly indicates the improvement of soil biological quality brought about by the organic amendment. This favorable effect on soil biological activity was more noticeable with the addition of fresh wastes (municipal solid waste or sewage sludge) than with compost. In turn, this effect was more permanent when the soil was amended with municipal solid waste than when it was amended with sewage sludge. Received: 28 May 1996     

Effect of sewage sludge application to amelio‐rate iron deficiency of grain sorghum

Abstract

Recent research has indicated that land application of municipal sewage sludge to calcareous soils can be used to ameliorate iron (Fe) deficiency of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech]. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the response of grain sorghum grown on three different soils to application of sewage sludge. Sludge applied at rates of 0, 7.5, 15.0, and 25.0 g/kg soil did not completely ameliorate grain sorghum Fe deficiency. When FeEDDHA was soil applied, sewage sludge application significantly increased plant growth due to increases in soil phosphorus (P) availability. Application of sewage sludge at rates greater than 7.5 g/kg reduced dry matter production of grain sorghum in the FeEDDHA amended Orelia SC soil, the soil with the lowest total neutralizing potential. The decreases yield was possibly due to toxic levels of soil and plant copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), and increased soil salinity.     

Co-application of Red Gypsum and Sewage Sludge on Acidic Tropical Soils

The agroenvironmental impact of co-utilization of red gypsum and sewage sludge was investigated. Both laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted. The treatments were soil + sewage sludge (5% w/w) + red gypsum (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40%, w/w). Corn was grown in the greenhouse, and the highest rate of red gypsum application was excluded. The residual calcite in red gypsum was able to increase the pH of the red gypsum–sewage sludge acidic soil system. Hence, gypsum reduced the zinc (Zn) concentrations in the soil solution released by sewage sludge. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were insufficient for corn growth. At the rate of 2.5% red gypsum and 5% sewage sludge application, no dry-matter reduction was observed compared to the control. The uptake of Zn, copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) by the corn plants decreased. Therefore, co-utilization of red gypsum and sewage sludge is a better option than using these by-products separately.     

Effects of sewage sludge application method on corn production

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of land application of municipal sewage sludge to agricultural land in Upper Cumberland Region of the Tennessee valley. Treatments included single and annual applications of sewage sludge both surface applied and injected into the soil. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effects of different land application methods of sewage sludge on corn grain yields. Other objectives were to determine the plant availability and migration of sludge Cu and Zn, and to determine organic N mineralization rates based on corn yield and leaf N content. Application of sewage sludge positively affected corn grain yields due to increased availability of N, and in drought years soil moisture. Yield and leaf N content data suggest that organic N mineralization rates near 50% in the year of application and 30% in the second year. Application of sewage sludge resulted in a greater increase in availability of Cu at the soil surface as compared to Zn, however neither Cu or Zn leached from the surface of the soil.