Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production

This study evaluated biosolid quality over time and the efficiency of using amounts (5 and 7 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) of municipal class A biosolids in Qatar to fertilize tomato plants (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>). Random samples were subjected to physical and chemical analysis, wh...

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Main Authors: Majeed Ali, Talaat Ahmed, Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh, Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/12/2552
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author Majeed Ali
Talaat Ahmed
Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh
Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti
author_facet Majeed Ali
Talaat Ahmed
Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh
Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti
author_sort Majeed Ali
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluated biosolid quality over time and the efficiency of using amounts (5 and 7 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) of municipal class A biosolids in Qatar to fertilize tomato plants (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>). Random samples were subjected to physical and chemical analysis, which revealed excellent particle uniformity and stability with minor odor defects. The analysis confirmed the product was nutrient-rich while pollutant levels were below the international standards. The nominated rates were used to fertilize tomato plants in pots grown in a greenhouse for four months with a control treatment of manure and Peat-Moss, before measuring the plant biological characteristics. Plants were examined via chemical analysis of nutrients and pollutants both for the whole plant and for stems, fruits, and leaves. Results indicated that both experimental treatments enhanced plant growth and development as compared to the control treatment. However, the chemical analyses also revealed levels of zinc, copper, and manganese in the plant fruits that were well in excess of the maximum acceptable levels, as defined by international health organizations. This study found that while the application of class A biosolids as organic fertilizer for tomato plants greatly enhanced the overall plant growth, the plant fruits contained toxic levels of trace heavy metals.
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spelling doaj.art-94c544d93cc04d539e512c7f364c92b82023-11-23T03:23:42ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952021-12-011112255210.3390/agronomy11122552Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato ProductionMajeed Ali0Talaat Ahmed1Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh2Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti3Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarEnvironmental Science Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarBiological Sciences Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarEnvironmental Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, QatarThis study evaluated biosolid quality over time and the efficiency of using amounts (5 and 7 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) of municipal class A biosolids in Qatar to fertilize tomato plants (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>). Random samples were subjected to physical and chemical analysis, which revealed excellent particle uniformity and stability with minor odor defects. The analysis confirmed the product was nutrient-rich while pollutant levels were below the international standards. The nominated rates were used to fertilize tomato plants in pots grown in a greenhouse for four months with a control treatment of manure and Peat-Moss, before measuring the plant biological characteristics. Plants were examined via chemical analysis of nutrients and pollutants both for the whole plant and for stems, fruits, and leaves. Results indicated that both experimental treatments enhanced plant growth and development as compared to the control treatment. However, the chemical analyses also revealed levels of zinc, copper, and manganese in the plant fruits that were well in excess of the maximum acceptable levels, as defined by international health organizations. This study found that while the application of class A biosolids as organic fertilizer for tomato plants greatly enhanced the overall plant growth, the plant fruits contained toxic levels of trace heavy metals.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/12/2552biosolidsagriculturetomatowaste managementmanureheavy metals
spellingShingle Majeed Ali
Talaat Ahmed
Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh
Mohammad A. Al-Ghouti
Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
Agronomy
biosolids
agriculture
tomato
waste management
manure
heavy metals
title Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
title_full Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
title_fullStr Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
title_full_unstemmed Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
title_short Investigating the Quality and Efficiency of Biosolid Produced in Qatar as a Fertilizer in Tomato Production
title_sort investigating the quality and efficiency of biosolid produced in qatar as a fertilizer in tomato production
topic biosolids
agriculture
tomato
waste management
manure
heavy metals
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/12/2552
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AT mohammedabudieyeh investigatingthequalityandefficiencyofbiosolidproducedinqatarasafertilizerintomatoproduction
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