Nutrient uptake and fruit quality in a nectarine orchard irrigated with treated municipal wastewaters

Abstract

Nowadays, treated municipal wastewater is considered as an alternative water source for irrigation, crucial mainly under dry environments; however, if not well managed, it could negatively affect crops and environment. Four irrigation water sources were tested in order to evaluate their impact in a nectarine orchard: three unconventional wastewaters – including a secondary-treated municipal wastewater (SW), a wastewater made by a simplified lagoon treatment pilot plant (LW), and a tertiary-treated wastewater (TW) – and one conventional freshwater source (FW). Fruit and water chemical composition and fruit quality were evaluated also using a multivariate analysis. The effect on soil chemical fertility was also investigated. As a consequence of various water sources with different nutrient loads, soil nutrient availability, plant uptake and fruit quality were significantly affected by the water source supplied. Plots irrigated with unconventional waters (LW, TW and SW) showed positive impacts on fruit quality (e.g., soluble solids and acidity) and negative nutritional aspects. These results could be attributed to higher soil pH (with lower micronutrients availability) and high concentration of N and K in unconventional wastewater sources. The results obtained with principal component analysis suggested us that water, enriched with mineral nutrients, may affect fruit quality; in our study, a lower fruit firmness while higher h° value and total soluble solids of fruits were observed, indicating an earlier ripening. Further studies are needed in order to understand better the long-term effect of municipal wastewater on nectarine orchard

Opportunities for expanding the use of wastewaters for irrigation of olives

“…The use of reclaimed municipal water (RMW) in agriculture is a growing practice in areas with limited freshwater resources (Pedrero et al, 2010). Within the past decade, scientific articles have been written that focus on the use of treated wastewater to irrigate various tree and vine crops including grapefruits (Citrus paradisi) (Pereira et al, 2011), lemons (Citrus limon) (Pedrero and Alarcon, 2009), mandarins (Citrus clementina) (Pedrero et al, 2013), nectarines (Prunus persica) (Vivaldi et al, 2013;Vivaldi et al, 2017;Pedrero et al, 2018), almond (Vivaldi et al, 2019), avocados (Yalin et al,2017) and grapes (Vitis vinifera) (Mendoza-Espinoza et al, 2008;Weber et al, 2014). While some components of the wastewater raise concern such as salts and specific, potentially toxic ions (i.e.…”

The Use of a Nutrient Quality Score is Effective to Assess the Overall Nutritional Value of Three Brassica Microgreens

“…Freeze-dried plant tissue was digested with 2 mL 30% H 2 O 2 and 8 mL 65% HNO3 for trace analysis, using microwave assisted pressure digestion. Total Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were determined in the extracts by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) [28,29].…”

Irrigation of Olives with Reclaimed Wastewaters and Deficit Strategies Affect Pathogenic Bacteria Contamination of Water and Soil

“…Globally, treated wastewater is used as an alternative water source for agricultural irrigation, with different regulations and limits in different countries [ 7 ]. Wastewater application can affect the complex water-soil-crop system, as nutrient availabilities and uptake [ 8 ] and fruit quality are affected by providing additional nutrients [ 9 ]. Advanced treatment is thus needed when producing reclaimed water (RW) to avoid a negative impact from salinity levels on both soil and crop and on public health from the presence of pathogenic infectious agents, which affect humans and/or animals [ 7 ].…”