Biological Use of Fiber Industry Sludge and its Ash on some Plant Species

The Various industrial wastes contain organic matter and some essential nutrients which are needed for the normal plant growth. This study evaluates the effects of biological recycling of fiber industry sludge and its ash in different concentrations i.e. sludge 25 and 50g/6kg and ash 25 and 50g/6kg of some plants. Seed germination, seedling growth, survival, and dry weight of shoots and ischolar_mains of three test species: Zea mays and Phaseolus lanatus (crop species) and Trifolium alexandrianum L. (fodder species) were observed. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and plant dry biomass was also analyzed. The results showed that plant species responded differently in different treatments. The results of ANOVA described that the seed germination and other growth parameters of all species were significantly suppressed at 50 g ash treatment. The highly sensitive response of shoot and ischolar_main growth was determined in P.lanatus. However, dry weights of shoots and ischolar_mains of T.alexandrianum were significantly reduced in all treatments. The analysis of heavy metals showed significantly high concentration in soil (P<0.001), while the accumulation of heavy metals in plants' dry biomass was also significantly different among treatments. It is highly recommended that industrial sludge and ashes must be properly checked before applying in any crop field as organic substitute. This study provides crucial information regarding quality and quantity of nutrients necessary prior to suggesting the suitability of an industrial waste as a fertilizer.