Arif Inam

Sulfur and Nitrogen Co-ordinately Improve Photosynthetic Efficiency, Growth and Proline Accumulation in Two Cultivars of Mustard Under Salt Stress

The potential of applied nitrogen (N) or sulfur (S) at 100 mg.kg-1 soil individually or in combination in the alleviation of 100 mM NaCl stress was studied in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cvs. Alankar and Chutki. In general, salt stress decreased photosynthetic efficiency, nitrate reductase activity, N content and growth in both the cultivars, but the effect was greater in Chutki compared to Alankar. In contrast, proline accumulation increased under salt stress but to a greater extent in Alankar. The individual application of N and S protected the plants from salt stress, but combined N and S treatment was more efficacious in alleviating salt stress and more conspicuously in Alankar by limiting chlorophyll degradation, increasing N assimilation and proline accumulation. It was concluded that the cultivar Alankar was more responsive to individual and combined N and S treatments. However, the combined N and S application resulted in greater proline accumulation and alleviated salt stress effects on photosynthetic efficiency and growth.

Effects of urban wastewater on the growth, photosynthesis and yield of chickpea under different levels of nitrogen

The reuse of wastewater in agriculture for irrigation needs specific studies to evaluate its effect on different soils, crops and agro-climatic conditions. This study was therefore conducted to observe the suitability of wastewater for irrigation, and Cicer arietinum L.cv. avrodhi was used as a test crop. The experiment was conducted in the winter season of 2006–2007 to evaluate its effect together with the basal application of four doses of nitrogen (N0, N15, N30, N45, kg ha−1). Wastewater irrigation resulted in the increased growth, photosynthesis and yield of the crop. Lower fertilizer dose of nitrogen @ 15 Kg ha−1 together with wastewater irrigation proved optimum, resulting in greater leaf area, plant fresh weight, dry matter (DM), photosynthetic rate (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf N content, number of pods per plant, 100 seed weight and protein content relative to control and even to higher N doses. Thus fertilizer rates could be lowered without reducing yields when using wastewater for irrigation. Physicochemical characteristics of wastewater were also tested and most of them met the irrigational quality, being well within the permissible limits set by FAO.

Long term effects of irrigation with petrochemical industry wastewater

Abstract Split plot designed field trials were conducted during 1988–1995 to study the long term effects of petrochemical industry wastewater on six crops and agricultural soils. It was observed that wastewater irrigation resulted in increased seed yield of all the crops selected, viz. wheat, triticale, chickpea, lentil and pigeonpea, except summer moong which showed a decrease in seed yield. Soil receiving the wastewater showed no significant changes in pH, total organic carbon, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, micro‐ and macro‐nutrients and SAR. Thus, it may be concluded that treated refinery wastewater met the irrigational quality requirements as its pysico‐chemical characteristics were within the permissible limits. The same could be said for the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil as well as in the grains making the latter safe for human consumption.

Urban wastewater irrigation and its effect on growth, photosynthesis and yield of chickpea under different doses of potassium

The deficiency of potassium (K) has resulted in decreasing the yield and quality of food grains. Moreover, with decreasing water resources the use of wastewater in agriculture as an alternative source of water and nutrients is being debated. This study was therefore undertaken to test wastewater for its suitability as irrigation water together with uniform basal doses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and varying doses of potassium (K0, K20, K40 and K60). It was observed that the plants receiving wastewater as a source of irrigation water performed better with a lower K dose. Potassium at 20 kg ha−1 along with wastewater resulted in better growth, photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance (g s) and yield of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Thus fertilizer rates could be lowered with the use of wastewater which can serve not only as the source of water but of nutrients also. However, regular monitoring of wastewater and soil for any buildup of heavy metal is necessary. The physical and chemical parameters of wastewater were also tested and most of them were found to be well within the permissible limits as set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Application of Wastewater Irrigation on Growth and Yield of Chilli Under Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization

In the present study a pot experiment was carried out in 2009 where different nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) combinations with soil (N0P0, N20P30, N20P60, N40P30, and N40P60) were taken into pots. Nutritional growth and yield such as length, fresh and dry weight, leaf area, leaf number, pedicle length, fruit length, fruit number, and seed content were significant at P ≤ 0.05. Evaluation of data reveals that plant growth parameters and yield of chilli significantly increased in wastewater treatment with 20 kg ha−1 N and 30 kg ha−1 P in comparison to groundwater treatments. It was also found that higher dose of fertilizers with wastewater decreases plant growth and development of Capsicum annuum L. Thus it was concluded that wastewater reuse as a source of nutrient may not only solves the problems of the more use of chemical fertilizers but also decreases the fresh water scarcity in agriculture land.

UTILIZATION OF PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY WASTE WATER FOR AGRICULTURE

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of petrochemical industry waste water on certain physico-chemical properties of soil and on growth, yield and quality of corn (Zea mays L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss). The pH of the waste water was near about neutral but it contained a higher amount of nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, sodium, chloride, calcium, carbonates, bicarbonates and suspended and dissolved solids when compared with fresh water. Soil receiving the waste water showed no significant changes in water soluble salts, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, pH, total organic carbon etc. Moreover, waste water irrigation resulted in increased growth and yield of both the crops. Thus, it may be concluded that the petrochemical industry waste water may be used profitably for the cultivation of corn and mustard.

Suitability of petrochemical industry wastewater for irrigation

Abstract A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Mathura Refinery, Mathura (India), to study the effect of treated wastewater in comparison with ground water on four cultivars of wheat on the basis of growth, yield and grain quality. It was noted that wastewater increased all growth and yield parameters. Soil irrigated with wastewater showed no significant changes in pH, total organic carbon, calcium, water soluble salts, cation exchange capacity and SAR. Treated refinery wastewater met the irrigational quality requirements as its physico‐chemical characteristics were within the permissible limits. Wheat cultivar HD‐3077 performed best.

Comparative Effect of Wastewater and Groundwater Irrigation Along with Nitrogenous Fertilizer on Growth, Photosynthesis and Productivity of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

A study was made in the net house of Plant Physiology, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh to study the comparative effect of wastewater and groundwater along with three different rates of nitrogen (N) of 0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1 on growth, physiology and yield of two varieties of chilli cv. ‘G4’ and ‘Pusa Jawala’. Wastewater irrigation resulted significant increase in shoot and root length, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number and area, net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), chlorophyll content, and yield. The physio-chemical parameters of wastewater met the irrigational characteristics, being well within the permissible limit as outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Among the nitrogen doses 30 kg ha−1 N along with wastewater proved best for the growth and yield. Thus it may be concluded that wastewater reduced the demand of fertilizers and it may be used for the cultivation of chilli.

Effluent Quality Parameters for Safe use in Agriculture

“When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin, (1706-1790), Poor Richards Almanac, 1746 Fast depletion of groundwater reserves, coupled with severe water pollution, has put governments all over the world in a difficult position to provide sufficient fresh water for our daily use. Ismail Serageldin vice president of World Bank in 1995 predicted that “if the wars of this century were fought over oil, the wars of the next century will be fought for water”. Thus it signifies the role water is going to play in the current century we live in. At the same time, the need for sustained food production to feed the hungry mouths of the ever increasing population is apparent. In many arid and semi-arid countries since water is becoming increasingly scarce resource and planners are forced to consider alternate sources of water which might be used economically and effectively. The use of wastewater (WW) for crop irrigation as an alternative for effluent water disposal and for freshwater (FW) usage is common worldwide in countries in which water is scarce. Disposal of wastewater is also a problem of increasing importance throughout the world including India. Both the need to conserve fresh water and to safe and economically dispose of wastewater makes its use in agriculture a very feasible option. Furthermore, wastewater reuse may reduce fertilizer rates in addition to low cost source of irrigation water. In many parts of the world, treated municipal wastewater and raw sewage wastewater and even industrial wastewater has been successfully used for the irrigation of various crops (Asano and Tchobanoglous 1987, Adriel et al., 2007; Tak et al., 2010). It is well known that the enteric diseases, anaemia and gastrointestinal illnesses are high among sewage wastewater farmers. In addition, the consumers of vegetable crops which are eaten uncooked and grown without any treatment are also at risk. This chapter particularly envisages the review on the safe and quality parameters of wastewater for sustainable use in agriculture. The use of sewage effluents for agricultural irrigation is an old and popular practice in agriculture (Feigin et al., 1984). Irrigation with wastewater has been used for three purposes: i. complementary treatment method for wastewater (Bouwer & Chaney, 1974); ii. use of marginal water as an available water source for agriculture (Al-Jaloud et al., 1995; Tanji, 1997) – a sector demanding ~ 70% of the consumptive water use.

Growth, physiological, yield and quality response in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) under wastewater irrigation and different levels of phosphorus.

Aims: India is one of the most densely populated, developing and industrially fast growing country of the earth that not only facing the problem of water scarcity, but also the mismanagement of tremendous amount of wastewater (WW) produced every day. Therefore a study was conducted in the Aligarh city of India on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Pusa Sadabahar to observe the suitability of wastewater for irrigation along with different levels of phosphorus and how minimize the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture by supplementing mineral nutrients through wastewater. Study Design: Factorial randomized block design Place and Duration of Study: The pot experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 in the net house of the Plant Physiology, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Methodology: Three levels of water, 50% wastewater, 100% wastewater and groundwater (GW) were used along with four basal doses of phosphorus at the rates of 0, 20, 40 and 60kgPha with a uniform basal dose of nitrogen and potassium with the rates of 60kgNha and 50kgKha Original Research Article Iqbal et al.; AJEA, 5(1): 70-81, 2015; Article no. AJEA.2015.009 71 respectively. Fertilizers were applied one day before sowing. Both the waters and soil were analyzed for various physico-chemical characteristics. Results: All the growth, physiological, yields as well as quality parameters were recorded at 60 days after sowing. Results revealed that wastewater irrigation significantly increases the growth, photosynthesis, yield and quality of the chilli. Lower dose of phosphorus fertilizer at the rate of 40kg ha together with wastewater proved optimum and gave greater shoot and root length, shoot fresh and dry mass, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, nitrate raductase, carbonic anhydrase, ascorbic acid and leaf nitrogen content than control and even to higher nitrogen doses along with groundwater. Conclusion: The wastewater proved an effective source of essential nutrients and even it could not be supplemented the whole nutrient requirement of the chilli but it can reduced the quantity of fertilizers because wastewater also a source of nutrients.