Germination and Early Development of Pink Cedar (Cedrela fissilis Vell.) Under Sewage Sludge Influence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5132/eec.2025.01.10Keywords:
biosolid, phytotoxicity, soil pollutionAbstract
The collection and treatment of sewage play a crucial role in basic sanitation. Still, the proper disposal of sewage sludge (SS) represents an environmental challenge due to the presence of potentially toxic compounds and pathogenic microorganisms. The application of SS in agriculture has been encouraged due to its richness in organic matter and nutrients, but its impact on soil biota needs to be assessed. In this context, this study analyzed the effects of SS on the germination and initial growth of pink cedar (Cedrela fissilis Vell.) in different substrates. Five treatments were tested: soil (100%), SS (100%), soil + SS (50%), lime-stabilized sewage sludge (LSS 100%), and soil + LSS (50%), with seeds exposed for 60 days. Germination occurred only in the soil and soil + LSS treatments, at 70% and 60%, respectively. In the soil treatment, seeds germinated nine days earlier than in the soil + LSS treatment. The average seedling height was 65.4 ± 15.1 mm in soil and 55.7 ± 16.8 mm in soil + LSS, with no statistically significant differences. Diameter growth was also similar between soil (2.7 ± 0.4 mm) and soil + LSS (2.4 ± 0.3 mm, p ≤ 0.05). These results indicate that sewage sludge may have a toxic effect on seed germination, but when stabilized with lime and mixed with soil (50%), it allows germination without compromising the initial growth of pink cedar.
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