Abstract
The present work focused on the impact of crop irrigation by treated wastewater (TWW) on soil fertility, in germination, and growth of two species of cereals (T. turgidum and H. vulgare). This investigation was conducted at the germination stage (controlled condition) and in pots containing a soil irrigated with wastewater in comparison with controlled soil. Germination rate, vigor index, seedling growth, total fresh mass, chlorophyll content, proline, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. Similar effects were shown on both species which emphasize the important role of antioxidant enzymes in the defense against oxidative stress induced by prolonged reuse of TWW. The disturbing effect of the reuse TWW on soil fertility, germination, and development of young plants (T. turgidum and H. vulgare) was linked to the presence of micropollutants in TWW. Data were analyzed by R language using a nonparametric statistical hypothesis test. These have caused the disorganization of many physiological mechanism targets, especially growth disorders observed under different abiotic stress conditions. In conclusion, high salt and heavy metal concentrations contained in the TWW are the major constraints related to the reuse of TWW. Hence, repetitive irrigation with this water can induce, at long term, soil contamination which can limit plant production and crop contamination.
Highlights
According to many international environmental agencies, such as the World Resource Institute (WRI) or World Conservation Union (WCI) and the Population Action International (PAI), global consumption of water in recent past years has increased by sixfold
E results showed that control soil showed neutral pH (6.9), while the TWW soil pH was slightly alkaline (8.4). e electrical conductivity (EC) was significantly higher in soil irrigated with treated wastewater than in control soil suggesting the elevated salinity of the treated soil
One of the most significant stages in a plant’s life, is sensitive to the chemical and physical conditions of the rhizosphere [22]. We suggest that this excess of ions is essentially related to the pollution of TWW that was used for irrigation and chemical fertilizers. e qualities of the soil and the irrigation water certainly have an effect on the biochemical properties and the yield of the crops. e totality of the obtained results constitutes a first step to understand the possible impact of this agricultural practice consisting on the irrigation with TWW on plant productivity and food quality
Summary
According to many international environmental agencies, such as the World Resource Institute (WRI) or World Conservation Union (WCI) and the Population Action International (PAI), global consumption of water in recent past years has increased by sixfold. Water resources have been considered as renewable and unlimited and were able to meet the needs of all generations regardless of water consuming activities. Water resources are nonrenewable and are nowadays threatened or even exhausted across several regions of the world. As a consequence of the increased demand on freshwater, anthropogenic activities generate a large amount of wastewater. In many countries, especially in arid and semiarid regions, where freshwater resources are very limited, it has become inevitable to reuse treated wastewater in several activities such as agriculture. In the USA, for example, the irrigation of crops with treated wastewater is an ancient practice that began since the first
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