The suitability of sewage effluent for drip irrigation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) growing on a deep calcareous clay soil (Typic Chromoxererts) was studied during three seasons. Secondary effluent was compared with freshwater at three application rates, the average of which for the three seasons were: low (350 mm yr−1), standard (440 mm yr−1), and high (515 mm yr−1). Fertilizer was applied with the fresh water in order to deliver amounts of nutrients (average for the 3 years) equivalent to those in the effluent that contained 150, 180, and 230 kg N; 32, 37, and 46 kg P; and 80, 100, and 120 kg K ha−1 yr−1 for the three rates, respectively. In addition, the standard amount of fresh water was given with half the quantity of fertilizer, and without fertilizer.The concentration of available N and P in soil was increased greatly in all effluent and fertilizer‐amended freshwater treatments, while available K in the soil was increased to a lesser extent. In general, at equivalent application levels, no significant differences in the level of available N, P, and K in the soil or in their uptake by plants, were detected between effluent and fertilizer‐amended fresh water, although dry matter yield as well as N, P, and K accumulation were greater in the high‐application‐rate effluent treatment. The distribution of NO3‐N in the soil profile was controlled by drip irrigation and practically no build‐up of NO3− was detected below the 0‐ to 0.6‐m depth layer during the irrigation period (in summer). However, during the rainy, winter season, heavy losses of residual NO3‐N occurred, probably mainly through leaching.
A long‐term drip irrigation experiment was conducted on a grumusol (Typic chromoxerent) soil at Zor'a, Israel in 1978, 1979, and 1980 to study the influence of municipal effluent on the growth, yield, and line quality of drip‐irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) var. ‘Acala SJ‐2.’Two sources of irrigation water were used: (i) municipal effluent and (ii) fresh water. The N concentration in the effluent was about 50 mg/L during the 3 years of experimentation. The treatments included three seasonal amounts of effluent and fresh water application: 350, 440, 515 mm; and five levels of N: 0, 90, 150, 180, and 230 kg ha−1 (average of the 3 years), added to the fresh water only, via the drip system. The cotton plants irrigated with effluent grew taller, with more vegetative growth than did the plants irrigated with fresh water.The seed cotton yield obtained in 1978 was relatively low as a result of excessive vegetative growth and lodging of the plants. In the 1978 season, the seed cotton yield averaged 4.35 and 4.04 Mg ha−1 for the effluent and freshwater treatments, respectively. When growth was retarded in the 1979 and 1980 seasons by delaying irrigation and adjusting fertilizer management, average yields increased to 4.95 and 4.57 Mg ha−1 for the two water qualities, respectively. Lint percentage was 39.0 and 40.2 for the effluent and freshwater treatments, respectively. The lint quality, as determined by strength, length, and micronaire was the same for cotton irrigated with effluent as for cotton irrigated with fresh water. Municipal effluent can be used effectively as a source of irrigation water and plant nutrients, and with appropriate management, high production can be obtained. Drip irrigation increases irrigation and fertilization efficiency and minimizes ecological hazards.
During 1978 and 1979 an effluent‐irrigation field experiment was carried out on a sand dune established with Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) to determine the irrigation needs of the grass in relation to removal of nutrients from the water and prevention of groundwater pollution. The municipal effluent used had received secondary treatment in settling ponds.It was found that irrigation of Rhodes grass with waste water (secondary effluent) on sandy dune soil may be considered an appropriate method for the treatment of secondary effluent. The method obtained at one and the same time, high production and the avoidance of ground‐water pollution, especially by nitrate and phosphorus.
The use of municipal waste water for crop irrigation has advantages in increasing water supply and reducing the need for fertilization application. The objective of this research was to develop management for using secondary effluent for crop irrigation while reducing pollution hazards.A field experiment was conducted on a sand dune soil during 1978 and 1979 to determine the water requirement and fertilizer needs of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth). There were four irrigation treatments, each at two levels of N fertilizer. The grass was irrigated with municipal effluent that received secondary treatment in settling ponds. The N concentration in the waste water used was about 18 mg/liter, which did not fully supply the needs of the crop. When 250 kg N/ha was added as (NH4)2SO4, an optimum dry matter yield of 12.0 metric tons/ha was obtained when irrigation was applied on the basis of 0.8 pan factor. Higher rates of fertilization and water application resulted in N seepage below the root zone. Any additional water resulted in increased drainage.Rhodes grass proved to be an efficient remover of N from effluent, and also prevented deep seepage and ground‐water pollution.
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