The Effects of Biosolid Application on Water-Use Efficiency and the Growth Behavior of Sesbaniasesban (L.) Merr in Arid Mediterranean Environments

Improving water-use efficiency (WUE) of cultivated crops serves as a key solution for maintaining high crop production levels under limited water resources. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential use of municipal biosolids as soil amendments for the improvement of the production and WUE of Sesbaniasesban (L.) Merr. Different levels of fermented dewatered biosolid were applied and mixed with the soil surface at the rates of 0.0 (control), 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 ton/ha. Experimental treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The biological yield and water-use efficiency were significantly affected by biosolid applications. The highest increase in the biological yield (49.83 ton/ha) and water-use efficiency at the biological yield harvest stage (5.46) were obtained at the highest rate of biosolid application (10 ton/ha). Lower levels of biosolid applications (2, 4ton/ha) did not affect the biological yield. Moreover, grain yield, water-use efficiency at grain yield stage, Harvest Index, and average stem diameter were not significantly affected by biosolid applications. The biological yield and water-use efficiency showed a high increase (29 %) in their outputs compared to the control treatment.