The use sewage sludge as a substrate component in the cultivation of (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don)

Abstract

The final destination of sewage sludge has high cost to treatment stations, and the recycling of this residue would be an interesting alternative. This work had the objective to develop an alternative to the use of sludge as a substrate for ornamental plants. The sludge was collected at a SANEPAR sewage treatment station in the sity of maringá and submited to a thermal process for the destrution of pathogens. Six different types of combinations were used: T1 - 50% vegetal soil and 50% of carbonized rice skin (CRS); T2 - 25% of non-treated sludge (SS) and 75% CRS; T3 - 50% SS and 50% CRS;T4 - 75% SS and 25% CRS; T5 - 100% SS; T6 - 50% of non-treated sludge and 50% CRS. The parameters assessed were the flowers height, number and diameter, the leaves area, and the production of fresh and matter. The results indicate tat the plants presented the best performance when cultivated in substrate containing 75% of SS and 25% CRS (&4)