Application of treated domestic sewage effluent on the quality indicators of an Oxisol cultivated with castor bean 1

• Published in: Revista Ceres Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 77 - 84
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Adailton Conceição, Boechat, Cácio Luiz, Saraiva, Paloma Cunha, Arauco, Adriana Miranda de Santana, Rocha, Felizardo Adenilson, Peixoto, Maria de Fátima da Silva Pinto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vicosa Universidade Federal de Viçosa-UFV, Revista Ceres 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Agricultural economics; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Arid regions; Arid zones; Biodiesel fuels; Developing countries; Effluent treatment; Effluents; Environmental impact; Fertilization; Household wastes; Irrigation; Irrigation water; LDCs; Microorganisms; Organic chemistry; Precipitation; Quality; Ricinus communis; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; Sewage; Sewage disposal; Sewage effluents; Sewage treatment; Sodium; Soil properties; Soil quality; Treated sewage; Waste treatment; Wastewater treatment; Water reuse; Water supply; Water treatment; Well water
• ISSN: 0034-737X; 2177-3491
• DOI: 10.1590/0034-737X201966020001

In semi-arid regions of developing countries worldwide it is necessary to develop low cost technology methods to acquire new water supplies. The objective was to evaluate the changes in the attributes of soil quality irrigated with treated sewage effluent. The treatments consisted of applying treated sewage effluent (TSE) and underground well water (UWW) in the following proportions: E0% (chemical fertilization and UWW), E25% (25% TSE and 75% UWW), E50% (50% of TSE and UWW), E75% (75% TSE and 25% UWW) and E100% (100% TSE). The sodium content did not differ significantly among the treatments, but the sodium input diminished as the percentage of residuary water in the irrigation grew. There was a greater increment of microbial biomass carbon in the E25% treatment. On the other hand, although treatments E50% to E100% have a greater nutrient input, they were no different from control treatments performed with well water. Treated domestic sewage effluent at a proportion of 25% is a feasible alternative for castor bean irrigation, however it is necessary to monitor the possible changes in the soil attributes over successive crops. Microbial attributes can be used as a quick, good indicator of changes in soil quality.