Effects of drinking water treatment sludge on crop quality of zea mays L.

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate effects of drinking water treatment sludge on crop quality. In this trial Zea mays L. (pioneer 32 w 86) was used, and the research was planned according to random blocks sampling design with three replicates. Increased amount of sludge, as of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 t da-1, was applied on blocks. Zea mays L. seeds were sewed between rows within a distance of 65 cm, and on rows within a distance of 25 cm. Blocks were irrigated to stimulate germination during dry conditions. When the numbers of leaves were reached 8, 10 kg da-1 of N fertilizer was applied. Plant length, first corncob height, corncob length, corncob diameter and number of corncob were observed and measured using randomly selected 10 plants from each block. As a result, the highest plant length, 206.97 cm, was found on blocks of control. The lowest plant length 189.76 cm was found on blocks with 1 t da-1. The highest first corncob height, 85.62 cm, was found on blocks with 1 t da-1 sludge applied. The lowest first corncob height, 82.09 cm, was found on blocks with 4 t da-1 sludge applied. Average of the highest corncob number 1.23 was found on blocks with 4 t da-1 sludge applied. Average of the lowest corncob number 1.03 was found on blocks with 1 t da-1 sludge applied. The highest corncob length 22.08 cm was found on blocks with 2 t da-1 sludge applied. The lowest corncob length 19.94 cm was found on blocks with 3 t da-1 sludge applied. The highest corncob diameter 4.15 cm was found on blocks with 0 t da-1 sludge applied. The lowest corncob diameter 3.86 cm was found on blocks with 1 t da-1 sludge applied.