Meadows fertilized with compost, anaerobic and pelleted sewage sludge: effects on annual pasture production, botanical composition and alpha biodiversity

摘要

Application of sewage sludge to agricultural soil is a common practice in the European Union (EU) because of low costs and recycling of nutrients achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different types (anaerobic, pelleted and composted sewage sludge) and application rates of sewage sludge on annual pasture production, botanical composition and species richness, compared with an unfertilized control treatment, in meadows established in Galicia (Spain). The results showed that annual pasture production was increased by anaerobic and pelleted sewage sludge in the first year of the study. However, no effects of treatments were found on botanical composition and species richness later in the study.