Agronomic use of scrubber sludge and soil as amendments to Lake Springfield sediment dredgings

ABSTRACT:

Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the main effects and interactions of various combinations of soil, sediment, and scrubber sludge on sudangrass yields. Sediment dredgings had an agronomic advantage over regular soil for the first yield of three successive cuttings of sudangrass. Highest average yields occurred with 2% scrubber sludge added to all combinations of soil and sediment. With 8% scrubber sludge, yields were dramatically lower for all combinations of soil and sediment. Plant size and color also were affected adversely. No fertilizer was used in this study. By the second and third cuttings, the highest yields were on soil with 8% scrubber sludge. Yields on sediment amended with 8% scrubber sludge continued to be lower than other yields. By the second and third cuttings, yields were higher with 100% soil than with 100% sediment. Total weights for the three cuttings suggested that sediments provide a better medium for sudangrass growth than soil. There appeared to be little yield advantage in mixing soil with sediments. Scrubber sludge increased sudangrass yields for combinations high in soil and had little effect on combinations high in sediment.