title: Effects of beer factory sludge on soil properties and growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris saccharifera L.).
abstract: The possible use of beer factory sludge (BFS) for an agricultural purpose was investigated with sugar beet (Beta vulgaris saccharifera L.). BFS was air dried and sieved through a 4 mm mesh before application to a soil (Typic Xerofluvent). Afterwards, the BFS was mixed with soil at a rate 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 tonnes ha(-1). The mixtures were than put into pots and kept in the greenhouse for an incubation of five months. During the incubation, pH, the electrical conductivity, the organic matter content, NH4+-N and NO3--N content were regularly measured. At the end of the incubation period, sugar beet seeds were sown into the same pots. After a growing period of six-months the sugar beet plants were harvested, and yield and quality parameters were determined. BFS increased leaf and root yield. However, the effect of BFS on leaf growth was more pronounced than on root growth. The highest sugar content, refined sugar content and refined sugar yield were obtained with the application rate of 10 tonnes BFS per hectare. Ten tonnes of BSF per hectare was the most suitable on the basis of root quality parameters and root yield. However BFS should be applied to the soil six or seven months in advance due to the high level of nitrogen released through mineralization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ankara, 06110 Ankara, Turkey. kutuk@agri.ankara.edu.tr
authors.forename: Cihat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kütük
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cayci
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.forename: Oguz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Başkan
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D001515:Beer; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005308:Fertilizers / Q000032:analysis*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005308:Fertilizers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil