Abstract:
A pot experiment was carried out to compare the effects of sewage sludge (S) and town refuse(T) additions on plant growth and yield components of wheat (Triticum sativa L.), some soil physico - chemical properties and available nutrients in reclaiming sandy soil. The organic residues were applied at rates of 5%, 10%, and in different combinations with N, P, K mineral fertilizers. The addition of sewage sludge, town refuse and their interactions at low rates produced the striking changes in sandy soil. An improvement in soil physical and chemical properties was noticed with increasing addition of organic residues. Town refuse furnished better results than the sewage sludge. A significant increase in grain and straw yield of wheat and plant N, P, K content was found in organic residues treated soils as compared with the control. The treatment of T+NPK was better than the other treatments. A significant decrease in soil bulk density and increase in soil porosity and available NPK contents in soil was observed with organic residues as compared to the control. The investigation exhibited that town refuses were more affective than sewage sludge at different rates. The sewage sludge and town refuse can be used as soil conditioners to improve the soil health and hence the crop yield. At the same time this would help to reduce the environmental contamination.