Productivity of Maize (Zea mays) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Using Treated Wastewater for Irrigation

Abstract

: This study was conducted to investigate the utilization of
treated wastewater in irrigating maize (Zea mays), and sorghum
(Sorghum bicolor L.) compared with River Nile water. The measured
parameters were soil properties, minerals contents, transfer factor, plant
growth and yield. The treated wastewater was analyzed with reference to
international specification for irrigation water, and was found to conform
to FAO standards for irrigation. The statistical analysis at P≤ 0.05
revealed that the highest values of plant growth and yield parameters,
plant dry weight, plant fresh weight, 100-seeds weight and concentration
levels of Mg, Na, K, and P in stem tissues of both crops were obtained
with treated wastewater as compared with River Nile water. On the other
hand, maize showed higher response to the utilization of treated
wastewater than River Nile water, as compared with sorghum, in all
aforementioned parameters. Treated wastewater significantly (P< 0.05)
increased Ec, pH, OC, N, Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Co and
P in soil for a short time and sharply with along time. The study showed
that there was no significant (P< 0.05) difference between water
treatments in transferring the elements from soil to plant. The transfer
factors registered were in the order of Ca (0.77), Co (0.74), (0.47), K
(0.36), Cu (0.34), Zn (0.28), Pb (0.21), Fe (0.16), Mn (0.12) and Na

(0.11). Hence it can be concluded that treated wastewater can be
utilizeded satisfactorily for producing field crops such as maize, sorghum
and forage