Human Urine and Treated Domestic Effluent for Ornamental Sunflower Cultivation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate growth and production of ornamental sunflower (Helianthuns annuus L.), cv. Anão de Jardim, irrigated with dilutions of human urine in treated domestic effluent. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates, in a greenhouse. Treatments consisted of four dilutions of human urine (0, 2, 4 and 6%) in treated domestic effluent and fertilization with 50% of the recommendation of mineral fertilizer. Plants irrigated with human urine dilutions (2, 4 and 6%) in treated domestic effluent and fertilized with 50% of the recommendation of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) showed reductions of growth and production, while those irrigated with 0% human urine dilution in treated domestic effluent and fertilized with 50% of N and K recommendation exhibited similar performance to those irrigated with public-supply water and fertilized with 100% of the recommendation of mineral fertilizer. The obtained results allow to infer on the viability of replacing public-supply water by treated domestic effluent for irrigation, with reduction of 50% in N and K fertilization, without prejudice to the growth and production of ornamental sunflower plants, cv. Anão de Jardim.