Assessment of Earthworm Viability and Soil Health after Two Years of Raw and Composted De-Inking Paper Sludge Amendment

Rahma Inès Zoghlami (), Wael Toukabri, Khaoula Boudabbous, Sarra Hechmi, Meriem Barbouchi, Houda Oueriemmi, Mohammed Moussa and Haithem Bahri
Additional contact information
Rahma Inès Zoghlami: Laboratory of Eremologie and Fight against Desertification (LR16IRA01), Arid Regions Institute, University of Gabes, Medenine 4119, Tunisia
Wael Toukabri: Agronomic Sciences and Techniques Laboratory (LR16 INRAT 05), National Institute of Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT), Carthage University, Ariana 2049, Tunisia
Khaoula Boudabbous: Horticultural Sciences Laboratory, LR13AGR01, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis-Mahragene 1082, Tunisia
Sarra Hechmi: Water Research and Technology Center, University of Carthage, P.O. Box 273, Soliman 8020, Tunisia
Meriem Barbouchi: Agronomic Sciences and Techniques Laboratory (LR16 INRAT 05), National Institute of Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT), Carthage University, Ariana 2049, Tunisia
Houda Oueriemmi: Laboratory of Eremologie and Fight against Desertification (LR16IRA01), Arid Regions Institute, University of Gabes, Medenine 4119, Tunisia
Mohammed Moussa: Laboratory of Eremologie and Fight against Desertification (LR16IRA01), Arid Regions Institute, University of Gabes, Medenine 4119, Tunisia
Haithem Bahri: Agronomic Sciences and Techniques Laboratory (LR16 INRAT 05), National Institute of Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT), Carthage University, Ariana 2049, Tunisia

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-10

Abstract: The improvement of soil fertility properties is a priority for meeting sustainable development goals and world food security. One potential benefit of using paper sludge in agriculture is the reduction of waste and associated environmental impacts. By using paper sludge as a soil amendment, it is possible to divert away this material from landfills and instead use it to improve soil fertility and support the growth of crops. However, it is important to note that paper sludge may contain contaminants harmful to plants and soil health, of which earthworm viability serves as a key indicator. The present investigation aimed to evaluate changes in soil properties after the application of raw and composted de-inking paper sludge for two years. Accordingly, a field study was conducted in Manouba, a semi-arid region of Tunisia with a clay loam soil. The raw de-inking sludge (DS) and composted de-inking paper sludge (DSC) were applied at 30 and 60 t ha −1 and 20 and 40 t ha −1 , respectively. Soil treatments were compared to unamended soils (C), to determine the optimal sludge treatment and rate for increasing the soil quality. Soil chemical (soil organic matter SOM, total carbon TC, and nitrogen TN, nutrient soil contents organic matter fractioned), physical (porosity and structural stability), and biological parameters (earthworms viability) were assessed. The results showed an increase of soil OM in the DS and DSC amended soils with the lowest rates (30 and 20 t ha −1 ). The humic fraction was found to be the dominant form. TC and TN were improved in the DS and DSC amended soils with the highest rates: 60 (DS2) and 40 t ha −1 (DSC2). Phosphorus and potassium were also increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the soil porosity decreased in all treatments. The composted de-inking sludge was toxic for epigeic species, which could be explained by the use of litter while composting. Overall, the application of DS and DSC at low rates (30 and 20 t ha −1 , respectively) might be a promising alternative for improving soil quality and at the same time ensuring the proper management of these wastes.

Keywords: de-inking sludge; composting; chemical fertility; humic fractions; structural stability; earthworms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/3/547/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/3/547/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:547-:d:1079143

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture is currently edited by Ms. Leda Xuan

More articles in Agriculture from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().