不同耕作与施肥方式对有机玉米田杂草群落和作物产量的影响

农田杂草是农业生态系统的重要组成部分。有机农田杂草控制是农业生产的一大难题,通过施肥方式改变杂草的竞争格局有望成为杂草控制的新途径。以暖温带有机玉米田为研究对象,设置了5种不同处理,即不施肥对照处理（CK）、施用牛粪处理（CM）、施用蚯蚓处理过的牛粪处理（EM）、免耕秸秆不覆盖处理（NT）和免耕秸秆覆盖处理（NS）,研究不同耕作和施肥方式对田间杂草密度、生物量、生物多样性及作物产量的影响。结果表明,在有机玉米农田内共发现杂草17种,CK杂草总密度最高,但杂草总生物量和生物多样性指数较低。EM杂草总生物量和牛筋草（Eleusine indica）生物量最高,分别比CK增加了192.6%和224.8%（P〈0.01）,物种丰富度和生物多样性指数较低,优势集中度指数较高。NS杂草总密度、总生物量和生物多样性与NT相比显著降低。此外,EM玉米（Zea mays）产量比CK高40.2%（P〈0.01）,比CM高19.6%（P〈0.01）。施用蚯蚓处理过的牛粪不仅提高了玉米产量,而且可以促进优势种杂草的生长,提高杂草群落的优势集中度。     

城市污泥与园林废弃物堆肥的混合施用对高羊茅萌发与生长的影响

以北京市城市污泥与园林废弃物为研究对象,采用盆栽方法,将污泥产品与园林废弃物堆肥按不同体积配比(1∶0、1∶3、1∶1和0∶1)混合,设置不同混合物施加量(0%、25%、50%、75%和100%混合物),比较其对高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea L.)的发芽以及生长的影响。结果表明:混合物添加对早期发芽率有负面影响,发芽率最高值出现在污泥与堆肥1∶1的25%混合物施加处理中;在整个观测周期内,加入混合物后株高均显著(P0.05)高于对照,且在后期表现更加明显;单株地上部生物量随着时间的延长各处理均呈现显著增加的趋势,而除了纯污泥处理外,随着施用量的增加,单株地上生物量均呈现降低的趋势;累积地上生物量和地下生物量在各处理下均显著高于对照,最大值出现在污泥与堆肥1∶1的25%混合物施加处理中;污泥与园林废弃物堆肥以不同比例混合后,比对照和仅园林废弃物堆肥对高羊茅的生长影响更明显,但混合物施用量较低时起促进作用,较高时会产生一定的抑制作用,且当两者的配比为1∶1的低施用量条件下高羊茅的生长指标最高。     

产卵基质模式和性比对白星花金龟生殖力的影响

[目的]为探究产卵基质模式和雌雄比对白星花金龟生殖力影响,寻求提高白星花金龟繁殖力的技术参数.设计复合产卵基质模式的思想,可为其他产卵于固体基质中的昆虫提高生殖力提供借鉴.[方法]本研究设计了5种产卵基质模式(牛粪、细沙单一基质、粪沙混、粪沙分和粪液沙复合基质)和5个雌雄比(早∶♂=4∶8、5∶7、6∶6、7∶5和8∶4),在室外敞口棚和自然温光条件下,开展对白星花金龟成虫产卵量和死亡率、幼虫孵化率的影响研究.[结果]5种产卵基质下白星花金龟成虫产卵量的顺序为粪沙分＞粪沙混＞牛粪＞粪液沙＞细沙,其中,白星花金龟在粪沙分复合产卵基质40 d的单雌产卵量达129.0粒,是原生产卵基质——牛粪的1.72倍;5个雌雄比处理比较,白星花金龟群体产卵量的顺序为7∶5＞8∶4＞6∶6＞5∶7＞4∶8;单雌产卵量的顺序为4∶ 8＞6∶6＞5∶7＞7∶5＞8∶4,最高达3.60粒/d.2项试验下成虫死亡率和幼虫孵化率在各处理间无显著差异,幼虫孵化率均在90％以上.综合分析和结合群体实际雌雄比可知,雌雄比为1∶1时,对于保障白星花金龟的群体繁殖力效果最佳.[结论]牛粪和细沙两复合体系作为产卵基质和维持雌雄比1∶1,可显著提高白星花金龟的繁殖力.     

水溶性有机物对黑麦草吸收铜的影响

采用水培试验,研究蚓粪及蚯蚓培养载体牛粪中水溶性有机物(DOM)对不同Cu2+浓度下(0、5、10 mg·L-1)黑麦草吸收Cu2+的影响.结果表明:随着Cu2+浓度的增加,黑麦草地上部、根干质量,以及根系的长度、表面积、体积和根尖数均逐渐下降;DOM显著增加了Cu2+处理下黑麦草地上部及根系生物量,促进了其根系的长度、表面积、体积和根尖数的增长.DOM降低了黑麦草地下部Cu2+浓度,促进了Cu2+从地下部向地上部的运输,显著增加了地上部Cu2+积累量.蚓粪DOM对黑麦草的影响优于牛粪DOM,并且供试高浓度DOM效果优 于低浓度.     

蚯蚓堆制处理对农业有机废弃物的化学及生物学影响的主成分分析

在实验室可控条件下,以碳氮比28.7∶1的农业有机废弃物（牛粪和稻秆）为赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)的培养基质,研究蚯蚓的堆制作用对有机物料的化学及生物学特性的影响.结果表明： 蚯蚓堆制处理30 d后,基质pH值、碳氮比显著降低,全磷显著升高,而全氮、碱解氮、可溶性碳、速效磷、微生物生物量碳、呼吸速率和微生物熵分别提高8.5%、2.6%、18%、63%、212%、44%和300%,有机质、呼吸熵分别降低5.0%和21.9%.蚯蚓堆制处理后物料具有较高的转化酶、酸性和碱性磷酸酶活性,较低的过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性.多元数据分析结果显示,自然堆制和蚯蚓堆制处理物料的化学和生物学特性均呈现显著的差异性.蚯蚓堆制处理优于自然堆制处理,可以明显改善有机物料的化学、生物学性质,是一种高效率处理农业有机废弃物的技术.     

蚯蚓粪对菊花的肥效观察

蚯蚓粪对菊花的肥效观察杨山（广东省增城市职业中专５１１３００）蚯蚓粪是一种肥效长、肥力高、无臭味的天然肥料。但用蚓粪作菊花的肥料效果究竟如何,未见系统报道,本人在此方面作了一些试验。１试验材料和方法（ｌ）蚯蚓粪用腐熟的牛粪养殖赤子爱胜蚓（Ｅｉ－ｓｅｉ...     

赤子爱胜蚓和毛利远盲蚓对添加造纸污泥土壤的化学和生物学特征的影响

将赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)和毛利远盲蚓(Amynthas morrisi)接种于混合15%造纸污泥的旱地土和水稻土中,研究不同蚯蚓对不同混合污泥土壤的化学和生物学性状的作用。主成分分析结果显示蚯蚓对混合污泥土壤化学和生物学性质影响与土壤类型和蚯蚓种间差异密切相关(P0.05)。方差分析结果显示:(1)在混合污泥旱地土处理中,与对照相比,E.foetida处理的混合污泥土壤pH和Eh分别显著降低了0.22和13个单位(P0.05),有机碳和微生物量碳含量,以及过氧化氢酶,N-乙酰-氨基葡萄糖苷酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性分别降低了22.8%、43.8%、12.4%、48.4%、44.0%和40.7%(P0.05),而荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性增加了57.4%(P0.05);A.morrisi处理的混合污泥土壤碱解氮含量、过氧化氢酶、N-乙酰-氨基葡萄糖苷酶和脲酶活性分别明显下降了16.5%,12.4%、33.9%和45.5%(P0.05)。另外,两种蚯蚓相比较,E.foetida活动后混合污泥旱地土壤pH和Eh值、有机碳含量和碳氮比分别比A.morrisi活动后土壤降低0.17和10个单位、24.9%和2.26个单位,而代谢熵和荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性显著增高(P0.05)。(2)在混合污泥水稻土处理中,与对照相比,E.foetida处理的混合土壤有机碳含量和碳氮比显著提高20.9%和1.02个单位(P0.05),全钾含量和呼吸速率明显降低6.11%和33.8%(P0.05);而与对照相比,A.morrisi处理的混合土壤的速效钾含量和过氧化氢酶活性显著提高13.2%和10.8%(P0.05),但β-葡萄糖苷酶和荧光素二乙酸酯酶活性分别下降46.7%和34.4%(P0.05)。两种蚯蚓相比较,E.foetida处理后混合污泥水稻土的有机碳含量比A.morrisi处理显著增加了15.7%,碳氮比增加0.84个单位,速效钾、呼吸速率和过氧化氢酶活性减少11.4%、36.5%和5.51%(P0.05)。综上所述,蚯蚓能显著影响混合造纸污泥土壤的化学和生物学特征。蚯蚓在高有机碳和低粘粒含量旱地土壤中活动,能够加速有机碳的分解和释放,降低与土壤有机质分解和养分转化相关的酶活性和微生物量,但增加微生物总体活性;而蚯蚓在低有机碳和高粘粒含量水稻土壤中活动,则能够有助于土壤有机碳储存,对养分和微生物活性的影响相对较小。与A.morrisi相比较,E.foetida对混合污泥旱地土有机碳的分解和释放、微生物活性的提高,以及混合污泥水稻土有机碳的储存等方面的能力均较强,而对混合污泥水稻土钾素转化能力相对较弱。由于造纸污泥具有高有机碳和低养分含量特征,因此污泥农用仍需考虑按一定比例配施高养分含量有机物料。同时,进一步根据土壤类型和选择适宜的蚯蚓品种进行较长期的小区和大田试验,将能够为污泥农用提供更多科学参考。     

温度对赤子爱胜蚓堆肥处理有机垃圾混合剩余污泥效率的影响

为了探讨环境温度对蚯蚓的生物量及其堆肥效率的影响,进行了不同培养温度条件下赤子爱胜蚓堆肥处理有机垃圾混合剩余污泥的研究。试验结果表明,在其他生态因子保持不变的情况下,赤子爱胜蚓的生长和繁殖具有一个适宜的温度范围,可能在20℃左右,温度太高或太低都对蚯蚓的生长和繁殖不利。赤子爱胜蚓对有机垃圾混合剩余污泥的堆肥效率在20℃达到最高,而在其他温度时较低,特别是低温(5℃、10℃)情况下堆肥效率显著降低,但温度较高(30℃、35℃)时其堆肥效率下降不显著。从产业应用的角度,如果同时考虑蚯蚓维持种群繁衍的再生产能力以及蚯蚓堆肥效率这两个因素,环境温度维持在20℃附近可能最适宜赤子爱胜蚓处理有机垃圾混合剩余污泥。     

老化和风干处理对蚓粪微生物学性质和结构稳定性的影响

蚓粪水稳性团聚体含量是结构稳定性表征之一,蚓粪中水稳性团聚体含量与其微生物学性质是紧密联系的,并且受到老化时问和有机质等因素的影响。国内将蚓粪水稳性团聚体含量与其微生物学性质联系,并结合施用不同有机物处理的研究很少见报道。研究通过室内短期培养试验,研究了在不同碳氮比有机物施用下蚓粪老化和风干处理对其微生物生物量、微生物活性和结构稳定性变化的影响。研究结果表明蚓粪经过老化处理后真菌数量、微生物生物量碳和微生物活性都显著降低。不同有机物的施用对蚓粪微生物学性质的影响主要表现在施用牛粪的处理中蚓粪细菌数量高于施用秸秆的处理,真菌数量相反。新鲜蚓粪经过老化处理后总的水稳性团聚体含量（〉0．053mm）增加,主要表现在水稳性大型大团聚体（〉2mm）含量增加,且在施用牛粪的处理中达到显著,可能是与牛粪比秸秆能分解产生更多的粘结物质有关。蚓粪的风于处理也显著增加各个处理中总水稳性团聚体含量,且风干后蚓粪中水稳性团聚体主要以微团聚体（0．25～0．053mm）形式存在。施用秸秆的处理中,新鲜蚓粪0．25～0．053mm粒级的水稳性团聚体含量显著高于施用牛粪的处理。经风干后,施用秸秆的处理0．25～0．053mm的水稳性团聚体含量显著低于施用牛粪的处理,而水稳性大型大团聚体含量显著高于施用牛粪的处理。蚓粪的不同粒级水稳性团聚体含量和蚓粪的生物学性质之间存在良好的相关性。     

不同方式处理牛粪对大豆生长和品质的影响

大型养殖场粪便堆积造成严重的环境污染,对这类废弃物开展资源化利用研究具有重要生态学和经济学意义。以不施肥料处理(CK)为对照,研究了生态养殖场牛粪经腐熟(DD)和蚯蚓处理(RD)后对大豆生长与品质的影响。研究表明:生态养殖场牛粪经过两种处理后,在一定施用量范围(DD≤30 t/hm2,RD≤45 t/hm2)内,可显著增加大豆株高、分株数、干物质积累,促进植株生长,增加单株荚数、籽粒数、籽粒重,提高大豆产量(P<0.01)。施入腐熟牛粪30 t/hm2株高和单株结荚数比CK分别增加24.2 cm、63%;经蚯蚓处理后,可以提高牛粪施用量的上限,施入蚯蚓处理过的牛粪45 t/hm2时产量最高、单株结荚数最多,比CK分别增加72%和75%(P<0.01);施入蚯蚓处理过的牛粪15 t/hm2时,粗蛋白含量、蛋脂总量最高,比CK分别增加7%和6%(P<0.01)。本研究可为大型养殖场牛粪资源化利用提供科学依据。     

Dynamics of biological and chemical parameters during vermicomposting of solid textile mill sludge mixed with cow dung and agricultural residues

In India, thousands of tons of textile mill sludge are produced every year. We studied the ability of epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida to transform textile mill sludge mixed with cow dung and/or agricultural residues into value added product, i.e., vermicompost. The growth, maturation, mortality, cocoon production, hatching success and the number of hatchlings were monitored in a range of different feed mixtures for 11 weeks in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions. The maximum growth and reproduction was obtained in 100% cow dung, but worms grew and reproduced favorably in 80% cow dung + 20% solid textile mill sludge and 70% cow dung + 30% solid textile mill sludge also. Addition of agricultural residues had adverse effects on growth and reproduction of worms. Vermicomposting resulted in significant reduction in C:N ratio and increase in TKN, TP, TK and TCa after 77 days of worm activity in all the feeds. Vermicomposting can be an alternate technology for the management of textile mill sludge if mixed with cow dung in appropriate quantities.     

The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and productivity of marigolds.

The effects of additions of earthworm-processed pig manure (vermicompost) on the growth and productivity of French marigold (Tagetes patula) plants were evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Marigolds were germinated and grown in a standard commercial greenhouse container medium (Metro-Mix 360), substituted with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% (by volume) pig manure vermicompost. The control consisted of Metro-Mix 360 alone without vermicompost. Plants were supplied regularly with a complete mineral nutrient solution for 121 days. The greatest vegetative growth resulted from substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 30% and 40% pig manure vermicompost, and the lowest growth was in the potting mixtures containing 90% and 100% vermicompost. Most flower buds occurred in the potting mixtures containing 40% pig manure vermicompost (19.4 buds), and fewest in the potting mixtures containing 100% vermicompost. Marigolds grown in Metro-Mix 360 substituted with 90% and 100% pig manure vermicompost had the fewest and smallest flowers. After substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% vermicompost, the marigold roots were larger than those of plants grown in the Metro-Mix 360 controls. Substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with any concentration of pig manure vermicompost, with all needed nutrients provided, increased the overall nitrate-nitrogen concentrations of the marigold leaf tissues at flowering stage. Some of the marigold growth and productivity enhancement, resulting from substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with pig manure vermicompost, may be explained by nutritional factors; However, other, factors, such as plant-growth regulators and humates, might have also been involved since all plants were supplied regularly with all required nutrients.     

Effects of different soil ameliorants on karee trees (Searsia lancea) growing on mine tailings dump soil-part I: pot trials

Rehabilitation of mine tailings dams is often a challenge due to a lack of nutrients and a poor humus reservoir prevailing in tailings soils. This is especially true for establishing longer lived species such as trees. For these reasons the effects of different soil ameliorants (woodchips compost, vermicompost, mature sewage sludge), added to the root system of Karee (Searsia lancea) saplings were tested in pot trials. Those pots were filled with platinum and gold tailings substrate as well as red clay soil, respectively. For three months plants remained in a greenhouse and were subsequently moved to a test field outside. Throughout the test period regular chl a fluorescence measurements were taken and subjected to JIP-test quantifying changes in photosynthetic vitality status. Additionally, growth measurements and one-off leaf analysis were carried out. Test plants growing on mine tailings experienced an up to 35% higher average photosynthetic vitality (PI(ABS)) and improved nutrient supply, when treated with mature sewage sludge. Consequently, sewage sludge treated plants showed a higher biomass build-up rate and an up to 55% higher diameter growth, compared to control. In summary the experiments present a low cost alternative for reforestation enterprises on platinum and gold tailings dams in South Africa.     

Effects of Sewage Sludge on Plant Community Composition in Restored Limestone Quarries

The effects of sewage sludge, used to improve fertility of replaced soil, on vegetation were studied in limestone quarry restoration. Plant community growing in the first stages after sludge application was surveyed in six quarries of NE Spain. Areas with a mixture of sewage sludge and residual soil were compared to areas where the application consisted only of residual soil (a mixture of previous top soil and mine spoils). Sewage sludge was hypothesized to increase total biomass and cover, modifying species composition and delaying the early successional recover of the community. The results showed that both biomass and plant cover increased because of sewage sludge addition. The floristic composition was dominated by ruderal species that did not show any dependence on sewage sludge application. Convergence on similarity between sludge and control plots was not detected along a 5‐year period. Although species richness was significantly lower in sludge plots, diversity and equitability indexes did not show differences between treatments. The results did not show differences in the proportion of non‐native species. The proportion of legumes was lower in sludge plots. These results show that the plant communities resulting from the addition of sewage sludge to the soil used in limestone quarry restoration have more biomass and cover, but less number of species, and they do not show a clear trend to converge to those areas restored only with non‐amended soil.     

Vermistabilization of textile mill sludge spiked with poultry droppings by an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida

Investigations were made to explore the potential of an epigeic earthworm Eisenia foetida to transform textile mill sludge spiked with poultry droppings in to value added product, i.e., vermicompost. The growth and reproduction of E. foetida was monitored in a range of different feed mixtures for 77 days in the laboratory under controlled experimental conditions. The maximum growth was recorded in 100% cow dung (CD). Replacement of poultry droppings by cow dung in feed mixtures and vice versa had little or no effect on worm growth rate and reproduction potential. Worms grew and reproduced favourably in 70% poultry droppings (PD)+30% solid textile mill sludge (STMS) and 60% PD+40% STMS feed mixtures. Greater percentage of STMS in the feed mixture significantly affected the biomass gain and cocoon production. Net weight gain by earthworms in 100% CD was 2.9-18.2 fold higher than different STMS containing feed mixtures. The mean number of cocoon production was between 23.4+/-4.65 (in 100% CD) and 3.6+/-1.04 (in 50% PD+50% STMS) cocoons earthworm(-1) for different feed mixtures tested. Vermicomposting resulted in significant reduction in C:N ratio and increase in nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Total potassium, total calcium and heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb and Cd) contents were lower in the final product than initial feed mixtures. Our trials demonstrated vermicomposting as an alternate technology for the recycling and environmentally safe disposal/management of textile mill sludge using an epigeic earthworm E. foetida if mixed with poultry droppings.     

Growth of bedding plants in commercial potting substrate amended with vermicompost

Vermicompost has been promoted as a viable alternative container media component for the horticulture industry. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of vermicompost at different points in the production cycle of tomato, marigold, pepper, and cornflower. The incorporation of vermicompost of pig manure origin into germination media up to 20% v/v enhanced shoot and root weight, leaf area, and shoot:root ratios of both tomato and French marigold seedlings; however amendment with vermicompost had little influence on pepper and cornflower seedling growth. Moreover there was no effect on the germination of seed of any species. When seedlings of tomato, French marigold, and cornflower were transplanted into 6-cell packs there was greater plant growth in media amended with vermicompost compared to the control media, and the greatest growth when vermicompost was amended into both the germination and transplant media. This effect was increased when seedlings in the transplant media were irrigated with water containing fertilizer.     

表施和混施污泥对团花根系生长的影响

林地利用被认为是污泥资源化利用的重要方式,但施用污泥对林木根系生长的影响报道较少。本研究通过根箱试验,分析表施和混施10%污泥对速生树种团花不同土层根系形态、土壤pH值和电导率动态变化及根系重金属含量的影响,并拟合土壤pH值、电导率和根系重金属含量与根长的关系。结果表明: 与不施污泥(对照)相比,混施污泥显著抑制了团花根长、根表面积和根体积增长,混施污泥120和240 d后,0～20 cm土层总根长分别为不施污泥的76.9%和67.4%;表施污泥对团花根长和根表面积的影响不显著,但显著提高了根体积。混施污泥显著提高了土壤pH值和电导率及根系重金属含量,混施污泥0～20和20～40 cm土层根系镉含量分别是不施污泥的11.5和10.0倍。线性回归拟合分析显示,不同处理0～20 cm土层的电导率与根长均呈显著负相关;表施和混施污泥根系镉含量与根长呈极显著负相关。上述结果表明,混施污泥抑制了团花根系生长,这可能是由于混施污泥提高了土壤电导率和根系镉含量所致,而表施污泥对团花根系生长的作用不明显。     

Extraction of cadmium and tolerance of three annual cut flowers on Cd-contaminated soils

To evaluate the production potential and Cd removal by three flower crops, viz.: marigold (Tagetes erecta), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum) and gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus), an experiment was conducted on differentially contaminated soils (DTPA-Cd 0.6-68.4 mg kg(-1)). Biotoxicity of Cd lead to reductions in growth and flower yield of marigold at DTPA-Cd >or= 7.9 mg kg(-1) soil, while the productivity of chrysanthemum and gladiolus was sustained up to 21.2 mg kg(-1). DTPA-Cd for 50% yield reduction (C(50)) was 85, 106 and 215 mg kg(-1) soil for marigold, chrysanthemum and gladiolus, respectively, that indicates a better Cd-tolerance in gladiolus. The uptake of Cd increased with contents in soils and the maximum accumulation occurred in leaves. Among the economic parts, gladiolus spikes accumulated the highest Cd (7.2) followed by flowers of marigold (6.5) and chrysanthemum (4.0 mg kg(-1)). But, because of higher biomass, the total Cd removal was the maximum with chrysanthemum (8.3) followed by gladiolus (6.0) and the minimum (2.6 mg m(-2)) with marigold. Gladiolus with highest tolerance and Cd-content in saleable part holds potential to clean up the moderately contaminated soils.     

污泥土地利用对农作物及土壤的影响研究

以沈阳北部污水处理厂污泥为研究对象 ,开展了污泥土地利用对农作物及土壤环境影响的研究 .结果表明 ,污泥土地利用可提高土壤中N、P及有机质含量 .污泥用量为 2 2 .5t·hm-2 和 45t·hm-2 时有利于作物生长发育 ,使水稻生物量与对照相比分别增加了 11.48%、11.83%.污泥施用量只要控制在 45t·hm-2以内 ,污泥中的重金属不会对土壤、农产品质量及地下水产生不良的影响 .     

Effects of different sewage sludge applications on heavy metal accumulation,growth and yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

In this study, we present the response of spinach to different amendment rates of sewage sludge (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 g kg^?1) in a greenhouse pot experiment, where plant growth, biomass and heavy metal uptake were measured. The results showed that sewage sludge application increased soil electric conductivity (EC), organic matter, chromium and zinc concentrations and decreased soil pH. All heavy metal concentrations of the sewage sludge were below the permissible limits for land application of sewage sludge recommended by the Council of the European Communities. Biomass and all growth parameters (except the shoot/root ratio) of spinach showed a positive response to sewage sludge applications up to 40 g kg^?1 compared to the control soil. Increasing the sewage sludge amendment rate caused an increase in all heavy metal concentrations (except lead) in spinach root and shoot. However, all heavy metal concentrations (except chromium and iron) were in the normal range and did not reach the phytotoxic levels. The spinach was characterized by a bioaccumulation factor <1.0 for all heavy metals. The translocation factor (TF) varied among the heavy metals as well as among the sewage sludge amendment rates. Spinach translocation mechanisms clearly restricted heavy metal transport to the edible parts (shoot) because the TFs for all heavy metals (except zinc) were <1.0. In conclusion, sewage sludge used in the present study can be considered for use as a fertilizer in spinach production systems in Saudi Arabia, and the results can serve as a management method for sewage sludge.