Studies were conducted to evaluate if sludge amendment improves the characteristics of soil and supports plant growth. Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) var. All Green and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) var. Pusa Komal plants were raised in pots containing nutrient deficient soil supplemented with different proportions (25% and 50%) of sludge. Application of sludge has been shown to improve the physico-chemical properties of the soils. Sludge increases the organic content, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and enriches soil with macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S). Increased nutrient availability promotes growth of plants as evidenced through biochemical estimations. The growth was significantly higher in soil amended with sludge in comparison to control. The present findings suggest that sludge can serve as a good soil supplement as it has capacity to improve soil properties. It can be used for improvement of nutrient depleted and degraded soils.
