Soil chemical properties and eucalypt nutrition as a function of sewage sludge addition

Sewage sludge application. in forest plantations is one of the alternatives to solve the problematic final disposal of this residue. This research aimed at evaluating whether biosolids application, improves soil fertility and the nutritional status of Eucalyptus grandis seedlings. The trial was installed in 20 cm diameter PVC columns with nine treatments (control, mineral fertilizer and increasing biosolid rates from 10 to 160 t ha(-1)) in four replications. The experiment lasted 12 months after planting the seedlings. Biosolids had a greater influence on soil acidity than on, the other soil chemical properties. N, P and S leaf concentrations were correlated with CEC and soil organic C content. These variables presented significantly higher values at doses of 80 and 160 t ha(-1). It was observed that soil organic matter decreased at biosolid doses from 10 to 40 t ha(-1). Alkaline biosolids reduced the soil acidity and improved soil fertility, increasing the availability of most nutrients.