The Effect of Using Processed Wastewater on the Content of Soil and Aubergine of Toxic Micro and Macro Nutrients

Abstract

Agriculture often faces the challenge of water scarcity, which pushes to the use of alternative water such as processed wastewater, and this practice gains attention for its potential to reduce water shortages while maintaining agricultural productivity, however, the use of processed wastewater has effects on soil properties and its content of macronutrients and crop health, so our study revealed the effect of processed wastewater on the soil content of micro and macro nutrients and their subsequent effects on the aubergine plant and its growth, as the study was designed according to completely randomized blocks. Considering the treated wastewater used in the irrigation of four treatments (0, 30%, 60%, 90%) and three replications and two stages in the presence of sterile organic fertilizer (animal waste) for the soil by 333 g / kg and the second (0) and the absence of organic matter (control treatment). The results of the study showed a significant increase in the elements of the soil extract and for all treatments compared to the control treatment and the level of addition was 30% significant effect in the concentration of nitrates as it reached 13.7 mg./kg, but the irrigation levels didn’t influence calcium and phosphorus levels, while the level of 90% with organic material showed a significant increase in manganese, magnesium, ferric and zinc and in brome, nickel and copper without adding the organic substance. In addition, the irrigation level has affected eggplant leaves and roots; so, the effect of the level of 60% of processed water with organic matter in a significant increase of phosphorus, nitrate and magnesium concentrations in the roots of the plant as it reached 1.600, 2.937, 0.3370 mg / kg respectively and increased nitrates and calcium in the leaves compared to the control treatment. Level 90% irrigation has contributed to the significant increase of brome, zinc, copper, ferric and nickel in plant roots and stems. This increase, either in soil extract or plant parts, was within the authorized normal limits and didn’t reach the critical or toxic limits that caused plant and soil contamination with these elements that would, in turn, affect humans and animals.