Aplicação de efluente de estação de tratamento de esgoto doméstico na irrigação de plantas ornamentais

Abstract

The degradation of water resources caused by its intensive use is limiting the water availability and creates a scarcity situation in several regions and countries. The higher water demand made the utilization of low quality water necessary, such as effluents resultant from the domestic sewage treatment which has the potential to be used for agricultural purpose. This study evaluated the use of wetland treated sewage effluent on the growth of two ornamentals plant species Heliconia psittacorum (L.) cv. Golden torch and Gladiolus hortulanus (Bailey), and on selected physical and chemical properties of a cambissol. The study was set up, located in Mapele community, Simoes Filhos (BA, Brazil). The treatments were arranged in a split-plotted randomized block design. The plants were irrigated with T1- wetland effluent with disinfection (addition of 5 mg L-1 of chlorine); T2 – wetland effluent without disinfection and T3 – river water, using a drip irrigation system. After 180 days of irrigation, stem length and number of floral bottoms were evaluated for Gladiolus and Heliconia, and height, floral bottom, number of sprout and base diameter for Heliconia. The soil chemical (fertility and salinity) and physical (density, porosity) properties were evaluated at three depths (0,0 – 0,1 m; 0,1 – 0,2 m; 0,2 – 0,3 m). Salinity was also determined after 360 days of irrigation No significant differences were observed among the three treatments along the monitored period, except a light soil salinization despite high rain amounts.