Abstract
Leaf water potential (Ψl), net photosynthesis rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gS), and water use efficiency (WUE) are greatly influenced by the nutrient composition of water which is used for irrigating trees. The above-mentioned physiological variables and foliage mineral concentrations were observed for Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, and Dalbergia sissoo plants irrigated with municipal effluent (ME) at 1/2 PET (potential evapotranspiration; T1), 1 PET (T2), and 2 PET (T3) rates and the control plants irrigated with canal water at 1PET (T4). Increased mineral concentrations in order T1 < T2 < T3 enhanced Ψl, PN, E, and gS. Relatively greater increase in E than PN reduced WUE. Available nutrient in ME enhanced physiological function in T2, whereas reduced quantity of water lowered it in T1 than in T4 plants. Differential minerals uptake increased concentrations of N and P in D. sissoo, Mn in E. camaldulensis, and the rest in A. nilotica. PN was more sensitive to environment than E. Enhanced mineral concentration through ME was beneficial but its differential uptake and accumulation influenced physiological functions and WUE. E. camaldulensis is better for high and continuous loading of effluent and A. nilotica is best for high nutrient uptake. D. sissoo is efficient water user.
Highlights
Land degradation and contamination of environment from a variety of anthropogenic sources such as smelters, power station industry, the application of metal-containing pesticides, fertilizers and sewage sludge are wide spread [1]
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was highest at midday (13 : 00) and oscillated between 811 μmol m−2 s−1 in December, 1999, to 2140 μmol m−2 s−1 in May, 2000 (Figure 1)
The results of this study showed beneficial effects of municipal effluent on the physiological functions of E. camaldulensis, A. nilotica, and D
Summary
Land degradation and contamination of environment from a variety of anthropogenic sources such as smelters, power station industry, the application of metal-containing pesticides, fertilizers and sewage sludge are wide spread [1]. Metals/minerals released into environment do become irreversibly immobilized in soil components but are toxic to animals, plants, and microorganisms [2]. Lead, mercury, and copper are toxic at high concentrations because of they disrupt enzyme functions, replace essential metals in pigments, or produce reactive oxygen species [3]. Some plants have tremendous potential to hyperaccumulate minerals [4, 5], their excess accumulation could have adverse effect on the physiological functions thereby affecting growth and biomass production of various tree species when exposed to wastewater disposal. Incidents of interaction between phosphorus and other macro-and microelements have been reported in crop species [6], whereas nutrient interactions in A. thaliana corroborated the prevalence of crosstalk across P and Fe [7]. The studies pertaining to nutrient interaction have been confined largely to crop species or model plant system
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