SUGARCANE GROWN IN FERTILIZED SOIL WITH S EWAGE-SLUDGE - NUTRIENTS, HEAVY-METALS AND PRODUCTIVITY

The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge (SS ) on nutrient and heavy metal absorption and productivity of sugarcane 's (Saccharum spp., var. RB72-454) ratoon. Sewage sludge was placed at 40 cm from plant row and at 15 cm depth, at the rates of 0, 15 and 30 t.ha(-1). Sewage sludge decreased soil potential acidity (H + Al) and behaved as a source of Ca, P, S, Cu and Zn for sugarcane growth, as o bserved by the linear increases in biomass and sugar productivities. A ddition of SS increased Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Ni, P and S exportations by sug arcane plant tops, as a result of their increases in plant tissue. Hea vy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni e Pb) contents in the SS presented no danger to the trophic chain in short-time.