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<p> Purpose: This study explored the potential of aluminium water treatment residuals (Al-WTR), a by-product of drinking water purification, to improve soil quality and maize productivity on a degraded sandy soil. Methods: A field experiment was conducted over two cropping seasons (2019/20 and 2020/21), with treatments including sole applications of cattle manure (CM), maize stover (MS), Al-WTR, their co-amendments (Al-WTR + CM and Al-WTR + MS), NPK fertiliser, and an unamended control. Soil samples collected during the 2020/21 season (at 0–10 and 10–20&#xa0;cm depths, and 3 and 6 weeks after planting) were analysed for soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), and basal respiration. Maize grain and biomass yields were recorded at physiological maturity for both seasons. Results: Co-amended treatments significantly increased SOC (&gt; 4.90&#xa0;g kg⁻¹) and TN (&gt; 0.60&#xa0;g kg⁻¹), compared to single amendments (&lt; 4.80&#xa0;g kg⁻¹ SOC; ~0.50&#xa0;g kg⁻¹ TN). At 6 WAP and 0–10&#xa0;cm depth, Al-WTR + CM recorded the highest MBC (190 ± 1.14&#xa0;mg C kg⁻¹) and MBN (35.80 ± 0.51&#xa0;mg N kg⁻¹), while the control recorded the lowest (120 ± 1.58&#xa0;mg C kg⁻¹; 18.72 ± 0.35&#xa0;mg N kg⁻¹). Basal respiration also increased with co-amendments. Al-WTR + CM yielded 5.61 ± 0.05 t ha⁻¹ maize grain (2020/21), while the control yielded below 1 t ha⁻¹ in both seasons. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Al-WTR co-amendments can effectively restore soil function and support resilient maize production in degraded agroecosystems.</p>

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Rebuilding Soil Health: Effects of Water Treatment Residual on Soil Biological Properties and Crop Productivity

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月3日

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  • Tariro Gwandu,
  • Jairos Rurinda,
  • Florence Mtambanengwe,
  • Stephen Chivasa,
  • Paul Mapfumo,
  • Karen L. Johnson

摘要

Purpose: This study explored the potential of aluminium water treatment residuals (Al-WTR), a by-product of drinking water purification, to improve soil quality and maize productivity on a degraded sandy soil. Methods: A field experiment was conducted over two cropping seasons (2019/20 and 2020/21), with treatments including sole applications of cattle manure (CM), maize stover (MS), Al-WTR, their co-amendments (Al-WTR + CM and Al-WTR + MS), NPK fertiliser, and an unamended control. Soil samples collected during the 2020/21 season (at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths, and 3 and 6 weeks after planting) were analysed for soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), and basal respiration. Maize grain and biomass yields were recorded at physiological maturity for both seasons. Results: Co-amended treatments significantly increased SOC (> 4.90 g kg⁻¹) and TN (> 0.60 g kg⁻¹), compared to single amendments (< 4.80 g kg⁻¹ SOC; ~0.50 g kg⁻¹ TN). At 6 WAP and 0–10 cm depth, Al-WTR + CM recorded the highest MBC (190 ± 1.14 mg C kg⁻¹) and MBN (35.80 ± 0.51 mg N kg⁻¹), while the control recorded the lowest (120 ± 1.58 mg C kg⁻¹; 18.72 ± 0.35 mg N kg⁻¹). Basal respiration also increased with co-amendments. Al-WTR + CM yielded 5.61 ± 0.05 t ha⁻¹ maize grain (2020/21), while the control yielded below 1 t ha⁻¹ in both seasons. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Al-WTR co-amendments can effectively restore soil function and support resilient maize production in degraded agroecosystems.