title: Effect of composted sewage sludge application to soil on sweet pepper crop (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) grown under two exploitation regimes.
abstract: The aim of this study is to monitor the effect of the application of three increasing amounts of composted sewage sludge (3, 6 and 9 kg compost m(-2)) on the physico-chemical properties of a horticultural calcareous soil where sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) cv. California were grown. A comparative study of two different exploitation regimes was carried out; the first was an open-air field-grown plot and the second plot was kept under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Changes in physical and chemical properties measured in soil and sweet pepper crop were recorded during crop growth in order to measure the evolution of these properties as a consequence of increasing compost applications. Organic matter, total nitrogen Kjeldahl and available phosphorus contents increased in soil after composted sewage sludge applications. The 9 kg compost m(-2) application promoted the appearance of deleterious effects on the properties of soil, such as salt accumulation, a significant increase in the electrical conductivity and an input of heavy metals (Pb>Cr>Cd). The 6 kg compost m(-2) application provided a supply of nutrients necessary to grow peppers plants under both exploitation regimes. Pepper fruit biomass production under greenhouse was almost 60% higher compared to that of the open-air plot. Lower contents of Ca and increased levels of Cu in fruit under greenhouse growing conditions compared to those of open-air grown peppers seemed to promote the occurrence of blossom-end rot, affecting more than 10% of the harvested fruits.
authors.affiliation: Dpto. Agroquímica y Bioquímica., Fac. Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante., P.O. Box 99, E-03080 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain. Juan.Casado@ua.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casado-Vela
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sellés
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Díaz-Crespo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro-Pedreño
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mataix-Beneyto
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D002212:Capsicum / Q000254:growth & development*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005638:Fruit / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D010935:Plant Diseases; D012639:Seeds; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen