Growth Responses of Two Green Manure Crops to Treatments with Non-Sulfur Photosynthesis Bacteria and Wastewater Sludge

Abstract

Wastewater sludge can improve soil fertility and support resource recycling, but potential heavy metal accumulation limits its agricultural application. In this study, we evaluated the effects of anaerobically digested wastewater sludge, applied alone or in combination with the purple non-sulfur bacterium (Rhodopseudomonas palustris), on two green manure crops, Sesbania cannabina and Glycine max. A 90-day pot experiment was conducted with five treatments: control, sludge at 10 and 20 t/ha, and each sludge level combined with R. palustris. Soil physicochemical properties, plant biomass production, and heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant tissues were analyzed. Sludge application increased soil total carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, while co-application with R. palustris further enhanced phosphorus availability. The greatest biomass production response was observed in G. max under 20 t/ha sludge plus R. palustris, with a 78% increase after 90 days. However, heavy metal concentrations and plant uptake generally increased with sludge dosage, particularly for Ni and Cr. These results indicate that sludge–PNSB application may improve soil fertility and biomass production, but heavy metal risks require careful evaluation.