Title: Use of sewage sludge as fertiliser supplement for Abelmoschus esculentus plants: physiological, biochemical and growth responses

Authors: R.P. Singh, M. Agrawal

Addresses: Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India. ' Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005, India

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of sewage sludge amendment (SSA) at 20 and 40% ratios for lady|s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L. var Varsha uphar) by evaluating the morphological, physiological, biochemical and yield responses. Lipid peroxidation, protein and antioxidant levels increased whereas photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and variable fluorescence ratio decreased in plants at higher SSA ratio. Biomass, yield and heavy metal concentration increased significantly at both the amendment ratios. The study suggests that SSA ratio below 20% could be an alternative option of fertilisers for good yield of lady|s finger and also a useful management option for this solid waste.

Keywords: sewage sludge; heavy metals; yield; physiology; growth; biomass effect; fertiliser supplement; Abelmoschus esculentus; biochemistry; growth; Lady|s Finger; morphology; solid waste; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2009.024702

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.91 - 106

Published online: 15 Apr 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article