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F. A. Lone ¹, Sabia Zaffar ¹, Nousheen Qureshi ¹, A. Q. Rather ¹, N. A. Kirmani ²

Affiliations
1 Division of Environmental Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN
2 Division of Soil Sciences, S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN

Abstract

Application of sewage sludge in agriculture is gaining momentum in many countries and is considered as an efficient waste management option. Sewage sludge is enriched with organic matter, nutrients and trace metals that can improve plant growth and soil fertility. In the present study an experiment was carried out wherein different concentrations of sewage sludge alone and in combination with different recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) were used to assess the growth performance of brinjal (Solanum melongena var. Local long), a commonly cultivated vegetable of Kashmir valley. The field experiment was carried out during summer (Kharif) 2010 and involved five treatments (T1 = Recommended dose of fertilizers; T2 = 100% Sewage Sludge; T3 = 75% Sewage Sludge + 25% RDF; T4 = 50% Sewage Sludge + 50% RDF; T5 = 50% Sewage Sludge + 25% RDF) each with three replications. The data regarding chemical analysis of sewage sludge and pre and post experiment soil samples with respect to pH, EC, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Ni, Cr, Pb is within permissible limits. The highest yield of brinjal was recorded in T1 (327.67q/ha), followed by 290.21q/ha in T4. Fruit quality parameters viz. carbohydrate and protein contents did not exhibit any significant variation between various treatments. On the other hand ascorbic acid content of fruit, foliar photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll) and morphological parameters recorded different values in different treatments. Results revealed that application of sewage sludge did not have any adverse impact on fruit quality and can be used for the improvement of plant growth and soil quality. By utilizing sewage sludge in agriculture, environmental degradation can be minimized.

Keywords

Agricultural Supplement, Sewage Sludge, Solanum melongena, Growth Performance.

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F. A. Lone ¹, Nousheen Qureshi ¹, N. A. Kirmani ², S. H. Sidiquii ³, Sabia Zaffar ¹, R. A. Shah ⁴

Affiliations
1 Division of Environmental Sciences, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN
2 Division of Soil Sciences, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN
3 Division of Agri-Statistics, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN
4 Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110 025, IN

Abstract

As freshwater resources are getting scarce, wastewater use is becoming an attractive option for conserving available water supplies. Wastewater use can have many applications like irrigation of agricultural land, aquaculture, landscape irrigation, urban and industrial uses, recreational and environmental uses, and artificial groundwater recharge, etc. The major objective of wastewater use in agriculture is to optimize its benefits both as resource of water and the nutrients it contains. In the present study, an experiment was conducted to assess the growth performance of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Mollin var. Shalimar improved) under irrigation with different concentrations of domestic wastewater (grey water) alone and in combination with recommended dose of fertilizers. This field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years 2008-09 and involved 5 treatments (T₁-T₅) with three replications in RCBD. Before being put to use, wastewater was stabilized for 20-25 days in open containers. The results show that yield (kg/ha) of the plots (T₃) irrigated with 50% wastewater and 50% recommended dose of fertilizers was statistically at par with the plots (T₁) irrigated with tap water and recommended dose of fertilizers. T₁ and T₃ plots also exhibited similar trends in plant morphological parameters (viz, vine length, number of basal branches and internodes, male and female flowers and leaves/plant), yield parameters (length, diameter and weight of fruits), concentration of macro (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe). The values of pH, EC, alkalinity, SO₄, NO₃, total N, P and K, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd and Ni in the grey water were within the permissible range. This study also shows that irrigation with stabilized grey water did not have any adverse effects on the soil chemistry. It is, therefore, concluded that recycling of wastewater in agriculture offers a great potential and could be promoted in areas facing acute shortage of water.

Keywords

Grey Water Irrigation, Bottle Gourd, Growth Performance, Mineral Composition.

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