Effect of Greywater Irrigation on Soil Available-Phosphorus

Abstract

This paper deals with the effect of using greywater for irrigation on the properties of desert soils and the growth of Lilium, oats and sunflower under controlled greenhouse conditions. The studied greywater treatments were 0, 25, 50, 75 &100% v/v. pH and electrical conductivity values of greywater used in this study were 8.68 and 2.05 dS/m, respectively. Results showed that irrigation with greywater has an effect on both soil soluble phosphorous and exchangeable phosphorous after plant harvest. Thus, a significant amount of phosphorous can be add to soil through the reuse of greywater. Detergents in washing wastewater contain many contaminants, which in turn affect pH values and electrical conductivity. Whereas, irrigation treatments at a rate of 100% of greywater showed an increase in pH and electrical conductivity values compared to the control and other treatments. Results also showed a clear effect on plants productivity (Biomass), as observed by a decrease in wet and dry weight of plants shoots and root in the treatment 25%, and the best productivity for them during treatment was with 50% and returned to decrease to 100% of greywater. This indicates that irrigation with high concentrations of greywater may reduce the productivity of some plants, including the studied species.