title: Effect of composted sewage sludge on morpho-physiological growth parameters, grain yield and selected functional compounds of barley.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have evaluated the effects of composted sewage sludge on barley and found a positive influence on crop productivity. No studies have investigated the effects of composted sewage sludge on functional compounds of the caryopsis, such as phenolics and β-glucans. The former play a role in plant defence mechanisms and both could be influenced by variations of kernel size related to fertilization intensity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses (3-12 mg ha-1) of composted sewage sludge applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilization on morpho-physiological and yield qualitative parameters, especially phenolics and β-glucans contents of grains, in barley.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increasing fertilization rates, irrespective of fertilizer type, improved morpho-physiological and yield parameters, whereas the phenolic compounds and the related antioxidant activity significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The β-glucans and the main color indices did not show significant differences. The combined application of 6 mg ha-1sewage sludge and nitrogen was not significantly different from mineral fertilization. Morpho-physiological and qualitative parameters, as well as bioactive compounds, were all significantly correlated with nutrient levels, with higher r values for nitrogen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Composted sewage sludge had a similar effect compared to mineral fertilization. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Science (Di.S.S.P.A.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasqualone
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Science (Di.S.S.P.A.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Summo
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Science (Di.S.S.P.A.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Centomani
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science (Di.S.A.A.T.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lacolla
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science (Di.S.A.A.T.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianraffaele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caranfa
authors.affiliation: University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science (Di.S.A.A.T.), Via Amendola, 165/A, I 70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cucci
mesh_terms: D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005308:Fertilizers; D001467:Hordeum / Q000254:growth & development*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D047071:beta-Glucans; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: barley; composted sewage sludge; phenolic compounds; yield; β-glucans