Long-term effects of sewage sludge application on sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)

Abstract

This study describes the long-term effects of different sewage sludge application rates on vegetative parameters, morphological characteristics, yield, and chemical properties of fruit and leaves of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cv. “Kütahya.” A three-year field experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design with six sewage sludge application rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 kg of dry matter per tree) and three replications. One-year-old Kütahya sour cherry trees grafted on Prunus mahaleb rootstock were evaluated. In all application rates, sewage sludge altered vegetative growth parameters, morphological characteristics, and yield. The most effective application rate was 7.5 kg per tree, it increased cumulative yield more than twofold. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that application of sewage sludge to light-textured soil is an effective means for improvement of vegetative growth and yield, and that a single application of sewage sludge sustains its effects for at least 7 years.

Keywords:

• sour cherry
• sewage sludge
• vegetative growth
• morphological characteristics
• yield
• fruit chemical properties