Effect of Treated Waste Water Irrigation on Plant Growth and Soil Properties in Gaza Strip, Palestine
- 1 Environmental Protection and Research Institute, Gaza, Palestine;
- 2 Environmental Protection and Research Institute, Gaza, Palestine;
- 3 Environmental Protection and Research Institute, Gaza, Palestine;
- 4 Environmental Protection and Research Institute, Gaza, Palestine;
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on growth of Chinese cabbage and corn and on soil properties in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Chinese cabbage and corn were planted in winter and summer seasons re spectively in a sandy soil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block using 2 treatments with 4 repli cates. Soil samples were collected from 0.0 - 120 cm depths from all plots and analyzed for pH, electric conductivity (EC) and nutrient contents. The plants were irrigated with either TWW or fresh water (FW) fortified with NPK , while control us ed drip irrigation system. The biomass (total fresh weight of the plants) was used as an indicator of the plant yields. Concentration of heavy metals on plant leaves w as determined by Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICP) and w as taken as an indicator of p l ant quality. Biomass of Chinese cabbage and corn grown in plots irrigated with TWW was higher than those grown in plots irrigated with FW. These results indicate the ability of TWW supply ing the neces sary nutrients for plant growth. Heavy metal content in plant leaves in all treatments (TWW and FW) was nearly similar and below EPA standards , indicating high quality of plants. Soil analysis showed great changes in soil properties due to irrigation with TWW. The interesting outcome of this study is that TWW is an effective source for plant nutrients. It is encouraging to reuse TWW in agricultural system after full treatment.
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