EFFECT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE ON GOLDEN ROD (Solidago spp.)

Abstract

India has a long tradition of floriculture. In India, flowers are cultivated in area of 2.72 lakh ha with annual production of about 16.8 lakh million tonnes during the year 2013, earning 17.7 lakh million rupees by their export (Indian Statistical Data Base 2013). Golden rod is considered as one of very desirable wildflower. Most of its species are used in making medicines, carotene extraction and decorations. Sewage sludge is a by product of municipal sewage treatment processes and its land application is one of the important disposal alternatives. Being rich in organic and inorganic plant nutrients, sewage sludge may substitute for fertilizers, and as a amendment to the soil, modifies its physicochemical and biological properties. But, presence of heavy metals may limit its usage in crops which can be circumvented if used for flower crops as they don’t enter into food chain.