Anaerobic fermentation of sheep droppings for biogas production

Production of biogas in batch digesters at 30°C from sheep droppings produced 93 l gas/kg dry matter whereas cattle dung yielded 234 l/kg dry matter. When the sheep droppings and cattle dung were used at 25:75 (w/w), gas production per kg dry matter was equal to that of cattle dung only. The methane content of the biogas obtained from sheep droppings was 70 to 72% as compared to 56 to 60% from cattle dung.     

Effect of mycorrhizal inoculation and soluble phosphorus fertilizer on growth and phosphorus uptake of pearl millet

Summary Six mycorrhizal fungi were tested as inoculants for pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum Leeke) grown in pots maintained in a greenhouse. VAM fungi varied in their ability to stimulate plant growth and phosphorus uptake. Inoculation withGigaspora margarita, G. calospora andGlomus fasciculatum increased shoot drymatter 1.3 fold over uninoculated control. In another pot trial, inoculation withGigaspora calospora andGlomus fasciculatum resulted in dry matter and phosphorus uptake equivalent to that produced by adding phosphorus at 8 kg/ha.The influence of inoculatingGigaspora calospora on pearl millet at different levels of phosphorus fertilizer (0 to 60 kg P/ha) as triple superphosphate in sterile and unsterile alfisol soil was also studied. In sterile soil, mycorrhizal inoculation increased dry matter and phosphorus uptake at levels less than 20 kg/ha. At higher P levels the mycorrhizal effect was decreased. These studies performed in sterilized soil suggest that inoculation of pearl millet with efficient VAM fungi could be extremely useful in P deficient soils. However, its practical utility depends on screening and isolation of fungal strains which perform efficiently in natural (unsterilized) field conditions.     

减氮配施不同种类有机肥对玉米物质分配、转运与产量的影响

为倡导减量施用化学氮肥,探索科学施肥模式,以达到绿色、稳产、高产的种植目标,通过田间试验,以空白处理(CK0)、常规施氮(CK1)为对照,设置减氮比例和配施有机肥两因素试验,减氮比例设减氮20%(A1)、减氮40%(A2);配施有机肥设:不配施有机肥(B0)、配施普通有机肥(B1)、配施生物有机肥(B2),研究了减氮配施不同种类有机肥对玉米物质积累分配、转运及产量的影响,为玉米化学氮肥减量增效技术提供科学依据。结果表明:随化学氮肥施用量的减少,玉米干物质积累量及产量降低;配施有机肥显著提高了干物质积累量、籽粒分配比例、吐丝后干物质对籽粒的贡献率和产量;减氮20%配施普通有机肥、生物有机肥处理较不配施有机肥处理,两年干物质积累量平均分别提高了31.38%和46.29%(P<0.05);产量分别提高了19.57%和23.78%,较常规施氮处理产量分别提高了7.15%和10.95%;减氮40%配施普通有机肥、生物有机肥处理较不配施有机肥处理,两年干物质积累量平均分别提高了19.68%和35.13%;产量分别提高了6.33%和7.48%(P<0.05),而产量较常规施氮处理分别降低了10.42%和9.44%(P<0.05);适量减氮并配施有机肥可促进玉米物质积累,改善穗部性状,最终提高产量;本试验条件下,配施1500 kg·hm^-2有机肥可实现化学氮肥减量20%并使玉米增产,且配施生物有机肥增产效果最好。     

Evaluation of pulverized trommel fines for use as a soil amendment

Pulverized trommel fines collected from the City of Chicago’s municipal solid waste were applied as a soil amendment over a 2-year period to evaluate: (1) their effects on soil quality by measuring soil elemental concentrations, pH, organic matter and cation exchange capacity; (2) their potential for pathogen transfer. A secondary objective was to examine crop growth, yield and productivity. Total and fecal coliform, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, Staphylococci and Salmonella were below minimum detection limits in trommel fines. Trommel fines contained 894.5 ± 171.4 mg/kg Pb, and when applied at a rate equivalent to 9.95 mt/ha dry wt, resulted in a soil Pb concentration increase of 18.80 mg/kg, thereby limiting lifetime trommel fine application to 15.9 years before reaching the 300 ppm IEPA (USEPA) regulatory limit. Trommel fines were subjected to a shake extraction procedure and resulting leachate Pb samples were 88.7% below the IEPA (USEPA) regulatory limit (5 mg/l). For the first year, corn yield was significantly higher on soil amended with trommel fines than soil amended with inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. During the second year, soybean yield was significantly lower on soil amended with trommel fines than on soil amended with inorganic fertilizer due to lower plant population. Results of this study suggest that trommel fines can be land applied as a soil amendment if best management practices are followed.     

The response ofPinus caribaea mor. var. Hondurensis seedlings to nitrogen,phosphorous and potassium fertilizers

Summary A soil pot culture experiment was conducted to study the response ofPinus caribaea var. hondurensis seedlings to the N, P, K fertilizers in a 3³ factorial combination of nutrients in four replicates. For this purpose, seedlings were grown in plastic pots in soils collected from Bahau pine experimental area. These soils belong to Durian series and are generally poor in nutrients.The seedlings were supplied with 112 kg/ha, 336 kg/ha and 560 kg/ha (100 lb/ac, 300 lb/ac and 500 lb/ac) of N, P, K in solution form in all possible combinations. Periodic growth measurements were taken and dry matter production was estimated at the conclusion of the experiment.The results indicate that phosphorous is the most important nutrient for the height growth of seedlings. The absolute height increment under the best treatment combination (N₁P₃K₁) was about threefolds (25.7cm) compared to 8.8 cm in the control. It was also found that higher levels of N and K, though not beneficial to height growth, resulted in better radial growth and more dry matter production compared to control plants. However, highest levels of N and K in the present experiment produced inhibitory influence as regards height growth even in the presence of low level of phosphorous.The study indicates that application of phosphorous at least at the rate of 560 kg/ha per plant is necessary on this type of soil to boost the initial height growth ofPinus caribaea var. hondurensis. Nitrogen at the rate of 336 kg/ha and potassium at the rate of 112 kg/ha will induce better radial growth.     

The effects of application of distillery pot ale to hill vegetation and lowland crops

Pot ale is a waste product of malt whisky distilling. Experiments were performed to establish the effects of its disposal on hill land and whether it could be used as a liquid fertiliser on rotational grass and on barley. Heather cover was drastically reduced by frequent low doses of pot ale, but infrequent heavy doses left heather moorland relatively unchanged. Total annual applications of pot ale of over 100 m³/ha to lowland grass swards increased yields of dry matter. Yield of barley was also increased by applications exceeding 100 m³/ha application. Other aspects of disposal of pot ale are considered.     

Prediction of nitrogen responses of corn by soil nitrogen mineralization indicators

Soil nitrogen mineralization potential (N min) has to be spatially quantified to enable farmers to vary N fertilizer rates, optimize crop yields, and minimize N transfer from soils to the environment. The study objectives were to assess the spatial variability in soil N min potential based on clay and organic matter (OM) contents and the impact of grouping soils using these criteria on corn grain (Zea mays L.) yield, N uptake response curves to N fertilizer, and soil residual N. Four indicators were used: OM content and three equations involving OM and clay content. The study was conducted on a 15-ha field near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In the spring 2000, soil samples (n = 150) were collected on a 30- x 30-m grid and six rates of N fertilizer (0 to 250 kg N ha(-1)) were applied. Kriged maps of particle size showed areas of clay, clay loam, and fine sandy loam soils. The N min indicators were spatially structured but soil nitrate (NO3-) was not. The N fertilizer rate to reach maximum grain yield (N max), as estimated by a quadratic model, varied among textural classes and Nmin indicators, and ranged from 159 to 250 kg N ha(-1). The proportion of variability (R2) and the standard error of the estimate (SE) varied among textural groups and N min indicators. The R2 ranged from 0.53 to 0.91 and the SE from 0.13 to 1.62. Corn grain N uptake was significantly affected by N fertilizer and the pattern of response differed with soil texture. For the 50 kg N ha(-1) rate, the apparent N min potential (ANM) was significantly larger in the clay loam (122 kg ha(-1)) than in the fine sandy loam (80 kg ha(-1)) or clay (64 kg ha(-1)) soils. The fall soil residual N was not affected by N fertlizer inputs. Textural classes can be used to predict N max. The N min indicators may also assist the variable rate N fertilizer inputs for corn production.     

Phytoremediation potentials of cowpea (Vigina unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) for hydrocarbon degradation in organic and inorganic manure-amended tropical typic paleustults

A field study on phytoremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil was designed to assess the effects of organic manures (poultry droppings and cassava peels) and NPK fertilization on the potentials of cowpea (Vigina unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) to stimulate hydrocarbon degradation in soil. Cowpea and maize crops were established on the hydrocarbon contaminated soil amended with three rates (0, 4, and 8 ton/ha) of the soil amendments, and arranged in 3 x 3 x 3 factorial in Randomized Complete Block Design. Hydrocarbon was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in plots treated with the combined forms of the soil amendments. While the treatment combinations of 8 t/ha Poultry Droppings (PD) + 8 t/ha Cassava Peels (CP) + 4 t/ha NPK fertilizer was optimal for hydrocarbon degradation in the cowpea plots, 4 t/ha PD + 8 t/ha CP + 8 t/ha NPK fertilizer was the most preferred in the maize plot. Cowpea showed greater potential for hydrocarbon degradation at the first year. The mean values of hydrocarbon concentrations at the cowpea and maize plots indicated no significant difference at the second year. Grain yield of cowpea increased by 87% at the second year, while maize was unable to grow to maturity in the first year.     

Effect of different fertilizers on the germination and growth of velvetleaf (Abutilon theohrasti Medic.)

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) is one of the most important and invasive weed species in Hungary and also in Europe. Its dangerousness derives from its germination biology characteristics and its strong competitive and allelopathic ability. In wide line space crops such as corn, sunflower and soybean it may reduce the yield significantly, According to some authors, this yield reducing ability is lower with bigger nutrient supplies. Our experiment was carried in Keszthely, Hungary (46 degrees 45'35.53"; 17 degrees 14'26.9") at the Institute of Plant Protection, Georgikon Faculty, University of Pannonia in 2009 and 2010. We studied the separate and combined effect of different fertilizers on the germination and growth of velvetleaf in greenhouse pot experiments. The applied fertilizers were Linzer NAC (27% N) in doses of 200 kg N ha(-1) (2,325 g Linzer NAC/pot), Patent Káli (30% K2O) in 100 kg K2O ha(-1) (1,05g Patent Káli/pot) and DC Szuperfoszfát (20.5% P2O5) in 100 kg P2O5 ha(-1) (1,05g DC Szuperfoszfát/pot). Our study was carried out in 1.5-litre pots with Ramman brown-forest soil in four replications, with 25 seeds of velvetleaf per pots. Five velvetleaf plants were removed four and six weeks after planting from the pots and the lenght, the fresh- and the air dried weight and the leaf area of the plants was measured. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. We observed that nitrogen which was applied alone or with other nutrients can reduce the germination and growth of Abutilon with 200kg N ha(-1) doses. Potassium and phosphorus stimulate germination and growth. The biggest stimulating effect was produced by potassium when it was applied alone.     

城市垃圾堆肥对高羊茅生长及土壤性质的影响

采用盆栽实验方法,比较了在每盆施用130 g垃圾堆肥(T1)或1.5 g化肥(T2)以及130 g垃圾堆肥与1.5 g 化肥混合施用(T3)条件下高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea L)生长及土壤性质的变化.结果表明:T1和T3处理组的土壤容重显著低于对照(不施肥)和T2处理组,土壤中的阳离子代换量及有机质、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量显著高于对照及T2处理组,且T3处理组的增加幅度更大;T1和T3处理组土壤中Pb、As、Cu、Cr和Cd含量均高于对照和T2处理组,且T1处理组土壤中Pb、As、Cu和Cd含量均显著高于仍处理组,但均小于土壤环境质量一级标准,不会造成土壤环境污染.T1和T3处理组高羊茅种子萌发率均明显低于T2处理组和对照,但随萌发时间的延长逐渐提高,表明垃圾堆肥对高羊茅种子萌发的抑制作用是暂时性的.施肥处理对高羊茅生长均有明显的促进作用;T1、T2和T3处理组高羊茅的株高、地上部分和根于质量、叶片N含量和叶绿素含量总体上均显著高于对照;其中T1处理组在栽培前期高羊茅的株高、地上部分干质量和叶片N含量低于T2处理组,但在后期显著高于T2处理组;而T3处理组高羊茅的各项指标总体上均最高.结果显示:使用垃圾堆肥能明显改善土壤性质、增加土壤肥力;垃圾堆肥具有缓释效应,能改善高羊茅的生长状况、提高草坪质量,与化肥混合施用效果更佳.     

Relative efficacy of different distillery effluents on growth, nitrogen fixation and yield of groundnut.

A field experiment with groundnut as test crop was conducted to evaluate the manurial potential of three distillery effluents: raw spent wash (RSW), biomethanated spent wash (BSW) and lagoon sludge (LS) vis-à-vis recommended fertilizers (NPK + farm yard manure (FYM)) and a control (no fertilizer or distillery effluent). It was found that all the three distillery effluents increased total chlorophyll content, crop growth rate (CGR), total dry matter, nutrient uptake (N, P and K) and finally seed yield compared to the control but inhibited nodulation and decreased nitrogen fixation. Among the three distillery effluents, BSW produced the highest seed yield (619 kg ha(-1)) twice that of control (3.10 kg ha(-1)), followed by RSW (557 kg ha(-1)) and LS (472 kg ha(-1)). However, the distillery effluents did not influence protein and oil contents. It was concluded that these distillery effluents because of their high manurial potential could supply nutrients, particularly potassium, nitrogen and sulphur, to the crops and thus reduce the fertilizer requirement of crops. Nevertheless, the crop performance and yield with three distillery effluents were overall less than that produced by recommended NPK + FYM probably on account of failure of the effluents to supply balanced nutrition to the plants for achieving their potential growth capacity.     

Fertilizer and manure equivalent rates on forage corn production (<i>Zea mays</i>)

An experiment with increasing rates of fertilizer and manure in silage corn was established to evaluate the agronomic crop response and to estimate the manure nitrogen availability. The treatments were designed to deliver 0, 67, 100 and 133% of the crop nitrogen requirements (CNR), using ammonium sulphate and manure as N source. Dry matter (DM) yield was similar among treatments receiving N, but those values were greater than those found in the control. Nitrogen extraction at harvest was not statistically different in treatments with fertilizer or manure, but it was higher in these treatments than in the control without N (p≤ 0.05). With both sources of N, crop N extraction was adjusted to a quadratic regression equation, as a function of N rates. According to the fertilizer equivalence (EF) methodology, the rate of 231.3 kg/ha of inorganic fertilizer N, and 752.9 kg/ha of total N in manure, had 129.5 kg/ha of N extracted by the crop. The ratio of the above rates, fertilizer N/ manure total N, represents the crop available manure N; in the present study, it was 30.7% of total N in the manure. Since no differences in yield were observed between N sources, it is concluded that N fertilizer can be substituted by manure, at a rate estimated to provide the crop N requirements. The estimation of the manure available N is important to adjust manure rates, thereafter avoiding excessive applications and pollution risks.     

Leaf-litter and changing nutrient levels in a seasonally dry tropical hardwood forest,Belize, C.A.

Summary Total above ground plant biomass in a 45 year old seasonally dry tropical hardwood forest was estimated to be approximately 56,000 kg/ha oven dry weight. Nutrients immobilized in the standing vegetation were: N, 203 kg/ha; P, 24 kg/ha; K, 234 kg/ha; Ca, 195 kg/ha; Mg, 47 kg/ha; Na, 9 kg/ha; Mn, 1 kg/ha; Cu, 0.5 kg/ha; Zn, 3 kg/ha; Fe, 4 kg/ha. Total nutrients returned each year through the litter were: N, 156 kg/ha; P, 9 kg/ha; K, 59 kg/ha; Ca, 373 kg/ha; Mg, 32 kg/ha; Na, 5 kg/ha; Mn, 1 kg/ha; Al, 21 kg/ha; Zn, 0.3 kg/ha; Fe, 9 kg/ha. Half of the nutrients immobilized in the standing vegetation were found in the leaves and are returned annually to the soil. Although litter fall is interrupted during the year, the mean nutrient content of the litter was high –5.2%.A decomposition rate of 0.48 percent per day was considered high for a seasonally dry tropical hardwood forest. Fluctuations in soil nutrient levels showed a sharp increase at the start of the rainy season. Later during the dry season nutrient levels decreased to concentrations similar to what they were just prior to the rainy season. Soil organic matter levels were very high –20% in the top 12 cm.     

Efficiency of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium use by corn,sunflower, and sugarbeet for the synthesis of organic matter

Summary A three-year experiment was conducted in natural conditions on chernozem soil to examine the efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium use by corn (C₄ type), sunflower and sugarbeet (C₃ type) grown in optimum conditions of mineral nutrition (N₁₀₀P₁₀₀K₁₀₀ kg/ha). Plant materials were analysed for the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and dry matter mass per individual plant parts and the whole plant.Leaves of different age, of all three plant species, were analysed to find eventual differences in the efficiency of use of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the synthesis of organic matter depending on leaf age.It was found that corn had the lowest concentration of the elements studied but the highest dry matter mass. In other words, corn was more efficient than sunflower or sugarbeet in the use of these elements for the synthesis of an organic matter unit. Such results were arrived at in both sets of analyses, i.e., the analyses of leaves performed in the course of ontogenetic plant development as well as the analyses of leaves of different age.     

硫硒配施对茎瘤芥生长和营养效应的研究

以茎瘤芥品种‘涪杂1号’为材料,通过盆栽实验探讨不同浓度的硫(S)、硒(Se)配施处理对茎瘤芥干物质积累、矿质元素吸收及膨大茎营养品质的影响,为生产中合理施用硫、硒肥提供理论依据.结果表明:与对照(S0Se0,未施硫硒肥)相比,增施硫、硒肥处理均能显著提高茎瘤芥的根、膨大茎、叶片和单株干物质产量,并以S50Se1[S/Se=50(mg/kg)/1(mg/kg)]和S100Se1的处理效果较好,其单株干物质产量分别比对照显著增加32.3%和36.2%;不同硫、硒浓度配施处理对茎瘤芥13种矿质元素积累的影响不同,主要显著促进了茎、叶对氮、磷、钾、硫、硒的吸收积累,而对其它元素的影响不显著,其中茎、叶的硒含量以S50Se3处理最高,硫含量以S100Se1处理最高;各硫硒配施处理对膨大茎营养品质的影响不同,其中S50Se1和S50Se3处理能显著提高膨大茎有机硒、总氨基酸和粗蛋白含量,而对维生素C和可溶性糖含量无显著影响.可见,适宜的硫硒配施可以明显促进其对矿质元素的吸收,提高植株干物质积累,有效改善茎瘤芥膨大茎营养品质,且硫硒配施用量以S 50mg/kg、Se 1mg/kg为宜.     

应用数学模型对矮啤大麦S500高产栽培及经济效应的研究

采用五因素五水平正交旋转回归组合设计,研究华中地区种植密度、有机肥、氮、磷、钾等因素与矮啤大麦S500产量、千粒重和经济效益的综合效应．对模型解析发现,在供试条件下密度、有机肥、氮、磷、钾单因子对大麦产量的绝对贡献顺序为氮肥〉有机肥〉磷肥〉钾肥〉密度,对千粒重的绝对贡献顺序为磷肥〉有机肥〉钾肥〉密度〉氮肥。对净收入的绝对贡献顺序为氮肥〉有机肥〉磷肥〉钾肥〉密度．计算机模拟寻优表明,密茇在219．3—233．13万株／hm^2,有机肥在22050-24975kg／hm^2,氮肥在186．49-208．92kg／hm^2,磷肥在91．14-104．68kg／hm^2,钾肥在63．4l-82．58kg／hm^2时,大麦千粒重在42g以上,大麦的产量在5000kg／hm^2,净收入在5000元／hm^2以上,足以实现大麦优质高产且经济效益大的目的．     

Agronomic effects of multi-year surface-banding of dairy slurry on grass

Sleigh-foot application of slurry manure is the best method for applying slurry manure on many forage fields. This study was designed to assess agronomic effectiveness of multi-year surface banding of dairy slurry on a sward of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Our study showed that with this application technology, crop recovery of total-N from applied manure in the long-term is only about 77% that of mineral fertilizer. Despite relative inefficiency of N uptake from manure, yield response to manure equaled that to fertilizer at equivalent total-N rates although N-recovery was significantly lower. About 26-32% of applied manure-N was stored in soil organic matter and the buildup of soil-N was related to application rate of organic N. At moderate applications rates (approx. 400 kg Nha(-1)a(-1)), soil N accumulated at about 120 kg ha(-1) annually compared to 98 kg ha(-1)a(-1) of unaccounted N, much of that probably volatilized and denitrified. Alternating between manure and fertilizer improved productivity per unit land area without increasing the rate of N non-recovery per unit of feed produced.     

Phosphorus cycling in a Mexican tropical dry forest ecosystem

The study was conducted in five contiguous small watersheds (12–28 ha) gauged for long-term ecosystem research. Five 80 × 30 m plots were used for the study. We quantified inputs from the atmosphere, dissolved and particulate-bound losses, throughfall and litterfall fluxes, standing crop litter and soil available P pools. Mean P input and output for a six-year period was 0.16 and 0.06 kgha^–1yr^–1, respectively. Phosphorus concentration increased as rainfall moved through the canopy. Annual P returns in litterfall (3.88 kg/ha) represented more than 90% of the total aboveground nutrient return to the forest floor. Phosphorus concentration in standing litter (0.08%) was lower than that in litterfall (0.11%). Phosphorus content in the litterfall was higher at Chamela than at other tropical dry forests. Mean residence time on the forest floor was 1.2 yr for P and 1.3 yr for organic matter. Together these results suggest that the forest at Chamela may not be limited by P availability and suggest a balance between P immobilization and uptake. Comparison of P losses in stream water with input rates from the atmosphere for the six-year period showed that inputs were higher than outputs. Balances calculated for a wet and a dry year indicated a small P accumulation in both years.     

Acetylene reduction (nitrogen fixation) associated with corn inoculated with Spirillum.

Sorghum and corn breeding lines were grown in soil in field and greenhouse experiments with and without an inoculum of N2-fixing in Spirillum strains from Brazil. Estimated rates of N2 fixation associated with field-grown corn and sorghum plants were less than 4 g of N2/ha per day. The mean estimated N2-fixation rates determined on segments of roots from corn inoculated with Spirillum and grown in the greenhouse at 24 to 27 degrees C were 15 g of N2/ha per day (16 inbreds), 25 g of N2/ha per day (six hybrids), and 165 g of N2/ha per day for one hybird which was heavily inoculated. The corresponding mean rates determined from measurements of in situ cultures of the same series of corn plants (i.e., 16 inbreds, six hybrids, and one heavily inoculated hybrid) were 0.4, 2.3, and 1.1 g of N2/ha per day, respectively. Lower rates of C2H2 reduction were associated with control corn cultures which had been treated with autoclaved Spirillum than with cultures inoculated with live Spirillum. No C2H2 reduction was detected in plant cultures treated with ammonium nitrate. Numbers of nitrogen-fixing bacteria on excised roots of corn plants increased an average of about 30-fold during an overnight preincubation period, and as a result acetylene reduction assays of root samples after preincubation failed to serve as a valid basis for estimating N2 fixation by corn in pot cultures. Plants grown without added nitrogen either with or without inoculum exhibited severe symptoms of nitrogen deficiency and in most cases produced significantly less dry weight than those supplied with fixed nitrogen. Although substantial rates of C2H2 reduction by excised corn roots were observed after preincubation under limited oxygen, the yield and nitrogen content of inoculated plants and the C2H2-reduction rates by inoculated pot cultures of corn, in situ, provided no evidence of appreciable N2 fixation.     

Short-term effects on soil properties and wheat production from secondary paper sludge application on two Mediterranean agricultural soils

This study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the potential use of SPS as a fertilizer, amendment and/or liming agent for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Two representative Mediterranean agricultural soils, a Cambic Arenosol (cmAR) and a Cromic Cambisol (crCM) were used. Treatments included four sludge rates ranging from 0 to 40 g kg(-1) (equivalent of 0, 38, 88 and 120 Mg ha(-1)). A significant increment in soil pH, organic carbon, N total, available P and exchangeable K were observed in both soils. Sludge application significantly increased N and decreased Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations in wheat. Wheat grain yields were reduced by 33% and 37% when 120 Mg SPS ha(-1) was applied to cmAR and crCM soils, respectively, due apparently to unavailability of Mg. However, straw yields, with much lower Mg requirements, increased significantly with SPS rates. Secondary pulp mill sludge seems to be a potential source of organic matter, N, P, K and a potential soil amendment liming agent for acid soils, when appropriate supplemental fertilizer was provided. For grain crops grown in these soils, addition of Mg is required for proper nutrient balance.