• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.238-247
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• 2012

To determine the possibility of solidified se wage sludge for use as a soil cover material in reclaimed land, the growth of energy crops and soil chemical properties investigated in each experimental plots during 2 years (2010 and 2011). The experimental plots consisted of the mixing with solidified sewage sludge plot (SS50), the covering with solidified sewage sludge plot (SS100), and the original reclaimed land plot (ORL) on reclaimed land for the intended landfill in Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SLC). Plant height, measured in the second year (2011), was highest in the Geodae 1 grown at plots treated with solidified sewage sludge. The growth of energy crops cultivated in both SS50 and SS100 were better than in ORL. The contents of organic matter (OM) and total nitrogen (T-N) at both SS50 and SS100 were considerably higher than that of the ORL over 2 years. However, the soil from ORL showed higher salinity with high contents of exchangeable $Na^+$ cation than that of SS50 and SS100 over 2 years. We consider that soil chemical and physical properties on reclaimed land used in this study could be improved by the application of solidified sewage sludge due to following reasons. Firstly, the application of solidified sewage sludge may provide soil nutrients on reclaimed land i.e. the growth of energy crops better than in ORL, resulted in more OM and T-N contents in SS50 and SS100. Secondly, the top layers mixed or covered with solidified sewage sludge on reclaimed land may be prevented the salinity accumulation due to capillary rise to surface soil, and improved the cultivation layer for effectively propagating the rhizomes of energy crops. Thus the solidified sewage sludge may be a great soil cover materials for cultivation of bioenergy crops in reclaimed land.