Nutrient availability from anaerobic baffled reactor effluent for maize growth in three contrasting soils from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

摘要

This study was undertaken to assess the availability to maize of nutrients in effluent from an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) for use in peri-urban agriculture. Maize was grown in pots filled with three contrasting soils with fertilizer (N, P and K)applied at the full recommended rate, half the recommended rate and no fertilizer. Plants were watered with either ABR effluent or tap water. After 6 weeks plants were harvested and above-ground dry matter yield and nutrient concentrations were measured.Dry matter yield and nutrient concentrations for effluent-irrigated maize were significantly higher for all fertilizer applications (p<0.05) than the water-irrigated plants. The unfertilized effluent-irrigated plants were not significantly different from the fertilized water-irrigated plants, but performed as well as the water-irrigated plants at half fertilization irrespective of soil type. Phosphorus deficiency was shown in the two heavier textured soils but not in the sandy soil irrespective of fertilizer treatment.