Possible Recycling of Industrial Wastes and By-Products in agriculture

The aim of our work was to examine three industrial by-products in order to determine whether the examined by- products can be potentially used for the nutrition of plants. Maize (Zea mays L.) was used in the experiments. The by- products to be involved into the experiments were grinding sludge, extruded poppy-heads remaining from morphine production and sewage sludge compost. All of the by-products involved into the experiments are generated in huge volumes; therefore, they can be suitable for solving nutrient deficiency problems in large agricultural fields. It has been confirmed by the experiments focusing on the nutritional elements of the by-products that all the by-products contain several essential elements (e.g. Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P and S) in large quantities. In the light of the experiments, we have come to the conclusion that all of the examined by-products can be used in the nutrition supply of plants, but it is essential to determine the concentrations of application accurately for field use. This statement is particularly true for grinding sludge. In summary of the results, we found that the by-products that were subjected in our experiments may be used in full or partial replacement of the costly chemicals as the case may be, though as the composition of the by-products, e.g. sewage sludge compost, may change, it is necessary to continuously monitor the by-products designed for the above use.