TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of reclaimed water irrigation on growth, yield, and water-use efficiency of forage crops
AU - Alkhamisi, S. A.
AU - Abdelrahman, H. A.
AU - Ahmed, M.
AU - Goosen, M. F.A.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of water quality (reclaimed and fresh water), water quantity, and their interactions on the growth, yield, and water use efficiency of forage maize during two winter seasons in the Arabian Gulf. The plants irrigated with the reclaimed water had higher plant height than those irrigated with the fresh water. The leaf length and leaf area (cm2) did not show any significant differences among the interaction. Reclaimed water had shorter time for 50% male and female flowering of forage maize plants, indicating earlier maturity. Plants irrigated with reclaimed water had higher chlorophyll content for all levels of water applications. A significant difference in green forage yield was found among the interactions. Reclaimed water gave the highest green forage yield of 72. 12 and 59. 40 t/ha at 1. 4ETo and 1. 0ETo, respectively. Plants irrigated with the reclaimed water used water more efficiently [3. 65 kg/m3 of DM (dry matter)] than those irrigated with the fresh water [2. 91 kg/m3 of DM (dry matter)] for all water quantities. The enhanced growth in wastewater-irrigated crops, compared with fresh water-irrigated crops, was attributed primarily to higher nutrient content (e. g., nitrogen) and lower salinity of the reclaimed water. The study concluded that treated wastewater irrigation increased yields of forage crops and their water use efficiency. Cost-benefit analysis, studies on the use these forage crops as animal feed, and more in depth evaluation of possible crop and soil contamination were recommended.
AB - Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of water quality (reclaimed and fresh water), water quantity, and their interactions on the growth, yield, and water use efficiency of forage maize during two winter seasons in the Arabian Gulf. The plants irrigated with the reclaimed water had higher plant height than those irrigated with the fresh water. The leaf length and leaf area (cm2) did not show any significant differences among the interaction. Reclaimed water had shorter time for 50% male and female flowering of forage maize plants, indicating earlier maturity. Plants irrigated with reclaimed water had higher chlorophyll content for all levels of water applications. A significant difference in green forage yield was found among the interactions. Reclaimed water gave the highest green forage yield of 72. 12 and 59. 40 t/ha at 1. 4ETo and 1. 0ETo, respectively. Plants irrigated with the reclaimed water used water more efficiently [3. 65 kg/m3 of DM (dry matter)] than those irrigated with the fresh water [2. 91 kg/m3 of DM (dry matter)] for all water quantities. The enhanced growth in wastewater-irrigated crops, compared with fresh water-irrigated crops, was attributed primarily to higher nutrient content (e. g., nitrogen) and lower salinity of the reclaimed water. The study concluded that treated wastewater irrigation increased yields of forage crops and their water use efficiency. Cost-benefit analysis, studies on the use these forage crops as animal feed, and more in depth evaluation of possible crop and soil contamination were recommended.
KW - Forage crops
KW - Nutrients
KW - Reclaimed Water
KW - Wastewater Management
KW - Zea mays
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U2 - 10.1007/s13201-011-0009-y
DO - 10.1007/s13201-011-0009-y
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84891387048
SN - 2190-5487
VL - 1
SP - 57
EP - 65
JO - Applied Water Science
JF - Applied Water Science
IS - 1-2
ER -
