Agropotentiality of lime sludge waste from the paper industry

摘要

Pot culture experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of lime sludge waste on the growth and production of some agricultural crops like mustard (cv. CVM 27), pea (cv. Rashna 30) and rice (cv. Aijong) as well as the physicochemical properties of the soil. Lime sludge waste was collected from a paper industry in Jagiroad, Morigaon district, Assam, India. Results showed that the height of plants, number of pods, and number and weight of seeds of mustard recorded an increasing trend in up to 20% sludge mixed soil and from 30% onwards, it declined gradually. The pea plants showed a rising trend in up to 30% sludge mixed soil and from 40% onwards, the growth and yield characteristics of pea declined gradually. In the case of rice, an increasing trend was recorded in up to 20% sludge amended soil and thereafter, it declined gradually. Paper mill sludge contributed to some significant alteration of soil quality and natural soil composition. The contributing factors due to application of lime sludge have been established by increasing the water holding capacity, pH, calcium, potassium and sodium concentrations. In addition, there was no significant change in the quality of soil at lower percentages of sludge but the higher percentages of sludge have an adverse effect on the soil quality, which may lead to reduction of crop production and increased toxicity.