Effects of Regenerant Wastewater Irrigation on Growth and Ion Uptake of Landscape Plants

Abstract

<jats:p>The effects of regenerant wastewater irrigation and high concentrations of Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup>, K<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>, Mg<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup>, and Cl<jats:sup>–</jats:sup> on growth and ion uptake of nine species of landscape plants were studied. Significant differences in chloride tolerance were detected among the species. Generally, the species that had greater uptake of chloride grew less than species that took up less amounts of chloride. Lace fern (<jats:italic>Athyrium filix-femina</jats:italic> Roth.) had the highest tissue Cl concentration and was the most affected. Hydrangea (<jats:italic>Hydrangea macrophylla</jats:italic> Ser.) also had high tissue Cl concentration, but showed no growth reduction. Its tolerance was attributable to a high tissue Ca concentration. The data suggest that in the species tested, higher tissue Ca concentrations were positively correlated with plant tolerance to Cl. Overall, the Cl<jats:sup>–</jats:sup> concentration in the wastewater seems to be the factor most likely to create problems for the landscape plants. However, severe negative effects will probably be noticed only for very sensitive plant species, but it is important to determine this before applying regenerant irrigation water.</jats:p>

Reuse of industrial wastewater for the irrigation of ornamental plants

“…After 25 weeks of irrigation, results of plant growth monitoring show a different response of the species tested to irrigation water, as reported in other research carried out on ornamentals (Fitzpatrick et al 1986;Wu et al 1995). As a matter of fact, Buxus and Pistacia plants didn't show any remarkable effect, regardless of water source and irrigation method used (Figure 3).…”

Using Reclaimed Water for Agricultural and Landscape Irrigation in China: a Review

“…Moreover, the potential physical, chemical, or biological problems that, though rarely, can be associated with reclaimed water applied to vegetable or cereal crops are not as applicable to landscape plant production. The application of reclaimed water for landscape irrigation has been practiced for decades throughout the world (Wu et al, 1995). In China, grasses were selected for irrigation by treated wastewater at the beginning of the reclaimed water utilization period.…”

“…However, the reclaimed water did not always have a positive effect on the growth of the grass. Several studies have reported that the growth of the grass was very sensitive to the content of chloride and salinity and the growth of grass would be inhibited if the concentrations of chloride and the salinity in the reclaimed water exceed their allowable values (Wu et al, 1995;Zhang et al, 2006b).…”

Irrigation water quality and ion balance in leaves of deciduous ornamental trees

“…In contrast, hydrangea {Hydrangea macrophylla Ser.) which also had a high Cl concentration representing a 28-fold increase, was not affected by the wastewater in its growth or appearance (Wu et al, 1995). It has been suggested that hydrangea was able to alleviate symptoms of Cl toxicity with high Ca concentrations indicating, perhaps, a differential uptake mechanism regulating Ca and Cl uptake in the nine woody plants studied (Wu et al, 1995).…”

“…Lace fern (Athyrium filix-feminina Roth.) irrigated with régénérant wastewater accumulated an extremely high concentration of Cl, representing a 65-fold increase, suffered severe reductions in growth and appearance (Wu et al, 1995). In contrast, hydrangea {Hydrangea macrophylla Ser.)…”