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.     

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.     

作物秸秆与城市污泥高温好氧堆肥产物对土壤氮矿化的影响

为揭示不同作物秸秆与污泥堆肥产物对土壤氮素矿化特征的影响,为科学施用城市污泥堆肥提供参考依据,通过室内培养试验研究了城市污泥与4种秸秆（小麦、水稻、玉米和油菜）高温好氧堆肥产物施入酸性紫色土、黄壤、石灰性紫色土后土壤氮矿化的差异。结果表明,4秸秆污泥堆肥均可显著提高3种土壤氮的潜在矿化势（N0）和矿化速度（k）,促进土壤氮的矿化,提高土壤NH4+-N、NO3--N质量分数,其中石灰性紫色土以油菜秸秆污泥堆肥和小麦秸秆污泥堆肥处理、黄壤以油菜秸秆污泥堆肥处理、酸性紫色土以小麦秸秆污泥堆肥处理提高幅度最大。作物秸秆与污泥堆肥施入土壤后,黄壤、酸性紫色土在培养60 d和30 d后趋于稳定,石灰性紫色土在培养60 d后仍有增高的趋势,但不同秸秆污泥堆肥对土壤氮矿化速度的影响无明显规律。结果说明秸秆污泥堆肥对土壤氮矿化的效应因土壤及秸秆类型的不同而异,根据研究结果提出了4种作物秸秆与城市污泥堆肥施用的建议。     

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.     

Denitrification activity in the root zone of a sludge-amended desert soil

Summary We evaluated potential NO _inf3 ^sup- losses from organic and inorganic N sources applied to improve the growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) on a Pima clay loam soil (Typic Torrifluvent). An initial set of soil cores (April 1989) was collected to a depth of 270 cm from sites in a cotton field previously amended with anaerobically digested sewage sludge or an inorganic N fertilizer. The denitrification potential was estimated in all soil samples by measuring N₂O with gas chromatography. Soils amended with a low or high rate of sludge showed increased denitrification activity over soil samples amended with a low rate or inorganic N fertilizer. All amended samples showed greater denitrification activity than control soils. The denitrification decreased with soil depth in all treatments, and was only evident as deep as 90 cm in the soils treated with the high sludge rate. However, when soils collected from depths greater than 90 cm were amended with a C substrate, significant denitrification activity occurred. These date imply that organisms capable of denitrification were present in all soil samples, even those at depths far beneath the root zone. Hence, denitrification was C-substrate limited. A second series of soil cores taken later in the growing season (July 1989) confirmed these data. Denitrification losses (under laboratory conditions) to a soil depth of 270 cm represented 1–4% of total soil N depending on treatment, when the activity was C-substrate limited. With additional C substrate, the denitrification losses increased to 15–22% of the total soil N.     

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.     

Use of Raw and Composted Paper Sludge as a Soil Additive or Mulch for Cottonwood Plants

Pulp and paper sludge is a by-product of paper production and may be suitable in agricultural applications as a soil amendment or mulch. The objective of this study was to evaluate raw and composted pulp and paper sludge as soil additives or mulches for cottonwood plants. Primary sludge, a combination of by-products from bleached kraft and neutral sulfite semichemical paper, was mixed with tailings, slaughterhouse paunch, and 10 percent wood ash (by volume), and used raw or composted and cured in the field for 39 weeks. Cuttings of two cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) clones were planted in a field soil (Quincy loamy fine sand) that was mixed (incorporated) or mulched (placed on top the soil) with raw or composted sludge mixtures at application rates of 0,45,90, 135 and 180 Mg/ha. The plants were grown in a plastic house for nine weeks. Electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soluble Cl and extractable Na in soil amended with 180 Mg/ha of compost were 37, 22, 197 and 138 percent higher, respectively, than those of soil amended with the raw sludge mixture at the same rate. Bulk density of amended soil decreased, whereas soil aeration and water-holding capacity increased as sludge application rate increased. After nine weeks, raw or composted sludge applied at a rate of 135 Mg/ha, whether used as a mulch or incorporated, improved cottonwood plant height by 40 percent and stem diameter by 20 percent compared to plants grown in nonamended, nonmulched (control) soil. These results indicate that the pulp and paper sludge mixtures, whether raw or composted, improved soil characteristics and aided establishment of cottonwood cuttings.     

施用污泥堆肥对土壤环境及高羊茅生长的影响

以上海曲阳水质净化厂污泥堆肥为研究对象,采用盆栽和土柱模拟的方法研究了污泥堆肥土地利用对土壤环境和植物生长的影响。结果表明,污泥堆肥和滩涂土混配后可降低土壤pH值,提高土壤养分含量,增加高羊茅生物量,同时也增加了土壤Ph、Cu和Zn3种重金属元素含量,但各混合土壤中重金属含量均远低于土壤环境质量Ⅱ类标准。另外,污泥堆肥混配土壤基本不存在病原菌扩散的风险;土柱淋溶试验表明,污泥堆肥施用比例为10％时,不会导致地下水NO3-N和重金属含量超过地下水Ⅱ类标准。综上,污泥堆肥施用比例只要控制在10％以内,可安全进行土地利用。     

Incinerated Sewage Sludge Products as Amendments for Agricultural Soils: Leaching and Plant Uptake of Trace Elements

Preliminary leaching column and greenhouse plant uptake studies were conducted in two soils with contrasting characteristics amended with varying rates (0 to 148.3 Mg ha^?1) of incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) and weathered sewage sludge (WISS) to estimate the leaching losses of trace elements from the soils amended with incinerated sewage sludge by products and to evaluate the uptake and accumulation of these elements in various parts of Sorghum vulgaris var. sudanense Hitche. (“Sorgrass''), a Sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid. Results of this study indicated that leaching of Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe and Mn from soils amended with ISS and WISS increased with increasing rates of amendment. Results of the leaching column study further revealed greater leaching losses from coarse-textured soil compared to medium-textured soil and also from ISS amended soils than with WISS amended soils. Results further suggested that the type of element and the interaction between the element and soil properties affected the leachability of various trace elements. The uptake study indicated uptake and accumulation of trace elements by plant parts increased with increasing rates of amendments. Greater plant uptake and accumulation of trace elements were observed in plant parts grown in soils amended with ISS compared to that of WISS. Results also indicated a greater accumulation of trace elements in below ground part of the plants (roots) compared to that was observed in above ground parts (shoots). Limited data obtained from this one season preliminary studies demonstrated that incinerated sewage sludge products from wastewater treatment plants could be used as soil amendments at low application (no more than 24.7 Mg ha^?1) for optimum plant growth, and dry matter yield without resulting in substantial accumulation of metals in plant parts at concentrations above the recommended critical limits and without causing significant leaching losses of various trace elements. It is imperative that long-term field studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term impact of using these new products in leaching and accumulation of various trace elements in plants and soils.     

Heavy metals in crops as affected by soil types and sewage sludge rates

Abstract

A municipal sewage sludge was applied at three application rates to three soils in field lysimeters to study the effects of soil and sludge application rate on cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) absorbed by ‘Larker’ barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and by Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Cicla'). Sludge applied at 20, 40, and 100 Mg/ha oven‐dry equivalent were mixed into the top 0.15 m of soil in each lysimeter. In addition, a nil sludge rate (control) received 125 kg N/ha. Metal contents were relatively low in barley grain, higher in barley straw, and highest in Swiss chard. Metal contents in plants increased with increasing sludge loading. Most plants grown on soil amended with the higher sludge rates were too high in Cd (greater than 0.5 mg/kg of dry feed material) to be suitable for animal consumption. No plant materials tested exceeded the suggested maximum Zn, Cu, or Ni levels.     

施用碱稳定固体减轻酸性土壤的酸度和铝毒

A pot experiment was catried out to study alleviation of soil acidity and Al toxicity by applying analkaline-stabilised sewage sludge product (biosolids) to an acid clay sandy loam (pH 5.7) and a strongly acidsandy loam (pH 4.5). Barley (Hondeum vulgare L. cv. Forrester) was used as a test crop and was grownin the sewage sludge-amended (33.5 t sludge DM ha^-1) and unamended soils. The results showed that thealka1ine biosloids increased soil pH from 5.7 to 6.9 for the clay sandy loam and from 4.5 to 6.0 for the sandyloam. The sludge product decreased KCl-extractable Al from 0.1 to 0.0 cmol kg^-1 for the former soil and from 4.0 to 0.1 cmol kg^-1 for the latter soil. As a result, barley plants grew much better and grain yield increased greatly in the amended treatments compared with the unamended controls. These observations indicate that alkaline-stabilised biosolids can be used as a liming material for remedying Al phytotoxicity instrongly acid soils by increasing soil pH and lowering Al bioavailability.     

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...     

Effect of increased cobalt treatments on sewage sludge amended soil: Nitrogen species in soil and tranference to tomato plants

The effects of increased cobalt additions (0, 50, 100 and 200 v mg v kg m 1 soil) in sewage sludge-amended soil on organic matter, N Kjeldahl, ammonium and nitrate were studied in this experiment. Three different rates of sewage sludge were applied (0, 30 and 60 v tn v ha m 1 ) to soil as main plots, using tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill var. Ramy) such testing cultivation. Plant biomass and nitrogen content in tomato leaf were also monitored. The organic matter in the soil was clearly affected by the fertilization. N Kjeldahl, ammonium and nitrate were favoured by organic treatments. Co seemed to reduce the transformation of ammonium to nitrate on amended soils, with accumulation of ammonium forms, especially at the higher application rates of sewage sludge. This incidence of Co on nitrogen species in soil decreased with the time of experiment, probably due to the reduction of availability of the pollutant. Aerial biomass production and nitrogen content in leaf were increased for the organic fertilization compared to the control. Only very high levels of Co in soil reduced significantly the aerial biomass production of tomato plants in amended soils. Co seemed to induce a decrease of the nitrogen in leaf in the amended soils, but not for the non-fertilized soils.     

Ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA extraction of elements from waste‐amended calcareous soil

Abstract

Use of soil testing for both nutrient and heavy metal interpretations could prove to be a readily available tool for management of calcareous soils amended with solid waste products. The ammonium bicarbonate‐DTPA (di‐ethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) [AB‐DTPA] extradant was used in this study, based on its successful use in other calcareous regions, and existence of interpretations for both nutrients and selected heavy metals. In southern Florida, addition of large volumes of composted waste products to shallow agricultural soils formed from crushed Oolitic limestone appears to be a viable disposal alternative to rapidly expanding lanfills or incineration. For two years, the effects of processed wastes (PW) on selected, AB‐DTPA‐extractable soil mineral element concentrations were determined for tomato (Lycospresicon esculentum Mill.) and squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex Lam.) grown with three different irrigation rates (3.78, 2.53, or 1.25 L/min). The PW composts were added at supplier‐recommended rates for soil addition, resulting in a range of loading rates varying with source, with which the AB‐DTPA extradant could be evaluated. The PW composts were: i) Agrisoil Compost (processed municipal garbage and yard clippings) applied at 48 Mg/ha, ii) Daorganite (processed sewage sludge) applied at 16 Mg/ha, and iii) Eweson Compost (processed municipal garbage and sewage sludge) applied at 24 Mg/ha, and iv) no PW (control). There were no significant interactions between irrigation and PW treatment or effects of irrigation treatment on any of the soil‐extracted elements following either crop, with the exception of AB‐DTPA‐extractable copper (Cu) following squash in 1991. Treatment with Agrisoil resulted in the greatest increase in mineral element accumulation in the soil followed by Daorganite and Eweson sources for both crops during each year. Although there was variability among crops and years, mineral element concentrations, particularly manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and Cu, were generally higher in the Agrisoil‐amended soil than in the other treatments. These observations could be traced to loading rates of individual elements. The lowest mineral element concentrations were in the non‐amended soil. The results of this study indicate that nutrients and selected heavy metals can be monitored successfully using the AB‐DTPA extractant. Accumulation of nutrients, including metals, in PW‐amended soil was minimal when supplied to the soil at manufacturers’ recommended rates, which were well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum loading rates.     

Effects of Amendment with Composted Sludge On Soil Humic Acid Properties

The main physical and chemical properties of a composted mixture of sewage sludge and wood chips, the nonamended soil, and soils amended with two rates of the compost, in the presence or absence of barley, were determined. Humic acids (HAs) isolated from these materials were characterized by various methods including elemental analysis and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), fluorescence, and electron spin resonance spectroscopies. With respect to the nonamended soil HA, the compost HA was characterized by a prevalent aliphatic character, low oxygenated functional group content, high contents of S, N-containing groups and polysaccharide components, low free radical concentration, high molecular heterogeneity, and low degrees of ring polycondensation, polymerization and humification. Compost application at the low rate appeared to induce only limited modifications in the structural and chemical properties of HAs from amended soils, whereas apparent modifications of HA properties occurred where a high amendment rate was used. The absence or presence of barley cultivation appeared not to exert any measurable effect on the composition and properties of compost-amended soil HAs.     

Sewage Sludge Application and Soil Properties Effects on Short-Term Zinc Leaching in Soil Columns

Eight soils from the Gulf of Kalloni in Lesvos Island, Greece, most of which were of low clay and low organic matter content, were used in a series of leaching experiments. The aim was to investigate the role of sewage sludge on Zn leaching and determine the soil properties that affect it. It was found that sludge addition at a low application rate (10 t ha^?1) decreased Zn leaching significantly by 30%. From a regression analysis it was found that eluted Zn was reduced with increasing Fe oxides content, probably due to Zn adsorption onto them, and that Zn transport increased with clay content. This indicates that Zn leaching was facilitated by the downward movement of clay particles, which was also suggested by the erratic Zn breakthrough observed in many soils. This was further confirmed by the fact that colloid concentrations increased with clay content in the soils (R?=?0.85, P?<?0.05). The results show that the addition of sewage sludge to low organic matter and clay content soils at moderate application rates enhances soil organic carbon and increases metal retention capacity.     

Effect of cultivated plants on physico‐chemical characteristics of humic substances of soils amended by sewage sludge

Abstract

Humic substances were extracted from raw sewage sludge samples as well as an alluvial slightly alkaline soil [Typic Xerofluvent (So)], a clay loam soil [Calcixerollic Xerochrept (M)] and the corresponding field plots amended with different rates of sewage sludge and cultivated with corn and cotton respectively, in a two‐year field experiment. These substances have been characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The chemical analyses showed that humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs), were effected by the cultivated plant. Humic substances extracted from field plots with cotton showed higher carbon, but less nitrogen (N), total acidity and carboxylic groups content, as compared with those under corn. Generally HAs and FAs extracted from the fields plots amended with sewage sludge had higher N content, lower values of total acidity, carboxylic groups and carbon contents than those from the unamended soils. The FT‐IR spectra of humic (HAs) and fulvic (FAs) acids extracted from sewage sludge indicated the presence of high percentage of aliphatic carbon, polysaccharides and proteinaceous materials. The spectra of the humic matter in the field plots showed less aliphatic but increased amide stretch in comparison with the sludge. The absorption due to C=O in carboxylic groups of the FAs was not pronounced, though the presence of polysaccharides and protein decomposition products was clearly indicated.     

Alleviation of Soil Acidity and Aluminium Phytotoxicity in Acid Soils by Using Alkaline-Stabilised Biosolids

A pot experiment was carried out to study alleviation of soil acidity and Al toxicity by applying an alkaline-stabilised sewage sludge product (biosolids) to an acid clay sandy loam (pH 5.7) and a strongly acid sandy loam (pH 4.5). Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Forrester) was used as a test crop and was grown in the sewage sludge-amended (33.5 t sludge DM ha-1) and unamended soils. The results showed that the alkaline biosloids increased soil pH from 5.7 to 6.9 for the clay sandy loam and from 4.5 to 6.0 for the sandy loam. The sludge product decreased KCl-extractable Al from 0.1 to 0.0 cmol kg-1 for the former soil and from 4.0 to 0.1 cmol kg-1 for the latter soil. As a result, barley plants grew much better and grain yield increased greatly in the amended treatments compared with the unamended controls. These observations indicate that alkaline-stabilised biosolids can be used as a liming material for remedying Al phytotoxicity in strongly acid soils by increasing soil pH and lowering Al bioavailability.     

Fate of diuron and terbuthylazine in soils amended with two-phase olive oil mill waste

The addition of organic amendments to soil increases soil organic matter content and stimulates soil microbial activity. Thus, processes affecting herbicide fate in the soil should be affected. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of olive oil production industry organic waste (alperujo) on soil sorption-desorption, degradation, and leaching of diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] and terbuthylazine [N2-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N4-ethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine], two herbicides widely used in olive crops. The soils used in this study were a sandy soil and a silty clay soil from two different olive groves. The sandy soil was amended in the laboratory with fresh (uncomposted) alperujo at the rate of 10% w/w, and the silty clay soil was amended in the field with fresh alperujo at the rate of 256 kg per tree during 4 years and in the laboratory with fresh or composted alperujo. Sorption of both herbicides increased in laboratory-amended soils as compared to unamended or field-amended soils, and this process was less reversible in laboratory-amended soils, except for diuron in amended sandy soil. Addition of alperujo to soils increased half-lives of the herbicides in most of the soils. Diuron and terbuthylazine leached through unamended sandy soil, but no herbicide was detected in laboratory-amended soil. Diuron did not leach through amended or unamended silty clay soil, whereas small amounts of terbuthylazine were detected in leachates from unamended soil. Despite their higher sorption capacity, greater amounts of terbuthylazine were found in the leachates from amended silty clay soils. The amounts of dissolved organic matter from alperujo and the degree of humification can affect sorption, degradation, and leaching of these two classes of herbicides in soils. It appears that adding alperujo to soil would not have adverse impacts on the behavior of herbicides in olive production.     

Biomass and Cu and Zn Uptake of Two Turfgrass Species Grown in Sludge Compost–soil Mixtures

Two kinds of common turfgrass, fescue and ryegrass, were grown in soils amended with 20?×?80% sludge compost (SC) in this research. The effects of SC on two kinds of soil and response of fescue and ryegrass to the SC amendment were studied. The results showed that urease activity, extractable content of Cu and Zn and Electrical conductivity of both soils increased while pH decreased with the increase of SC amendment. However, the change of these parameters also depended strongly on soil characteristics. Sludge compost at the ≤40 and ≤60% levels can improve growth of fescue and ryegrass, respectively. The biomass of fescue grown in substrate with 40% SC increased 27% in a red soil and 44% in a yellow loamy soil compared to the control. The biomass of ryegrass grown in substrate with 60% SC increased 120% in the red soil and 86% in the yellow loamy soil. Sludge compost amendment at these levels did not significantly affect soluble salt contents of soil or Cu and Zn in plant tissue. Therefore, rational use of sludge compost can take advantage of its beneficial effect as a nutrient source for plant production while avoiding the potential deleterious effects on soil and plant.