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From Waste to Resources: Sewage Sludges from the Citrus Processing Industry to Improve Soil Fertility and Performance of Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.)

Author

Listed:
  • Caterina Lucia

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Daniela Pampinella

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Eristanna Palazzolo

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Luigi Badalucco

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Vito Armando Laudicina

    (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Building 4, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

The citrus industry produces a large number of sludges as a consequence of citrus wastewater treatment. The correct disposal of citrus sewage sludges (CSSs) has been attempted using anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, and lime stabilization. However, since CSSs hold nitrogen, phosphorus, and other macronutrients required by crops, in line with the circular economy principles, they could be utilized for agricultural purposes, such as organic fertilizer. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of CSSs supplied at different doses on soil fertility and lettuce performance. To this end, a pot experiment was established. The soil was amended with CSSs at three different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 t ha −1 ). After 46 days of lettuce growth, the experiment was stopped, and soils and plants were analyzed. Soil amended with CSSs showed an increase in total organic C ranging from 7% to 11%. Additionally, available P increased but only at the highest CSS dose. The addition of CSSs affected the biochemical properties of soil, but a univocal trend related to the number of CSSs applied was not found. Microbial biomass C increased only with the highest dose of CSS applied, while the metabolic quotient (qCO 2 ) decreased. Such a positive effect on soil fertility and soil microorganisms, in turn, lead to an increase in lettuce biomass. Moreover, results indicated that following CSS addition, lettuce crops adsorbed more N in leaves than in roots, whereas P, Ca, Mg, K, and Na showed an opposite pattern and increased more consistently in roots. In conclusion, amendment with CSSs enhances soil fertility by increasing, regardless of CSS dose, total organic C, and, at the highest dose, P availability and microbial biomass C. Such improvement in soil fertility, in turn, increases lettuce biomass production without affecting its quality, i.e., alteration of the (K + Na)/(Ca + Mg) ratio.

Suggested Citation

  • Caterina Lucia & Daniela Pampinella & Eristanna Palazzolo & Luigi Badalucco & Vito Armando Laudicina, 2023. "From Waste to Resources: Sewage Sludges from the Citrus Processing Industry to Improve Soil Fertility and Performance of Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:4:p:913-:d:1129474
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sara Paliaga & Caterina Lucia & Daniela Pampinella & Sofia Maria Muscarella & Luigi Badalucco & Eristanna Palazzolo & Vito Armando Laudicina, 2023. "Shifting Long-Term Tillage to Geotextile Mulching for Weed Control Improves Soil Quality and Yield of Orange Orchards," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-11, March.
    2. A. Guerrini & G. Romano & L. Carosi & F. Mancuso, 2017. "Cost Savings in Wastewater Treatment Processes: the Role of Environmental and Operational Drivers," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(8), pages 2465-2478, June.
    3. Xuan Zhang & Xian-qing Wang & Dong-fang Wang, 2017. "Immobilization of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge during Land Application Process in China: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Elena Goldan & Valentin Nedeff & Narcis Barsan & Mihaela Culea & Claudia Tomozei & Mirela Panainte-Lehadus & Emilian Mosnegutu, 2022. "Evaluation of the Use of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Maria Raimondo & Francesco Caracciolo & Luigi Cembalo & Gaetano Chinnici & Biagio Pecorino & Mario D’Amico, 2018. "Making Virtue Out of Necessity: Managing the Citrus Waste Supply Chain for Bioeconomy Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, December.
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    1. Vito Armando Laudicina & Paolo Ruisi & Luigi Badalucco, 2023. "Soil Quality and Crop Nutrition," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-4, July.

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