Contribution of Sewage Sludge to the Fertility of the Soil and the Growth of Barley (Hordium Vulgare L) Variety Jaidor

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted at the Ben M'hidi University Centre during the year 2002/03 to study the effects of different levels of sewage sludge on soil properties and yield of barley (Hordium Vulgare L) Variety Jaidor. The treatments consisted of 20, 40, 60 t ha⁻¹ of organic fertilizer (sewage sludge); 35 and 70 kg ha⁻¹ of mineral fertilizer (urea) and a check (without fertilization).

The results showed that the response of the crop for most variables was very well expressed at the application rate of 40 t ha⁻¹ of sewage sludge. A significant increase in the number of tillers, kernels per spike (KN/S) and spikes was found in the sewage sludge treated soils.

An improvement in soil physical and chemical properties was noticed with increasing addition of sewage sludge. The amendment effect was highly significant At 40 t ha⁻¹, the sewage sludge produced the best results in carbon content of the soil with 2.50%. The soil porosity and the hydraulic conductivity near saturation were significantly improved by the addition of sewage sludge.