Saline reclaimed wastewater can be used to produce potted weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.) with minimal effects on plant quality

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the limitations of irrigation with saline reclaimed wastewater (RW) for producing potted weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.). Furthermore, two different levels of leaching were studied to ascertain whether either reduces the negative effects of RW. Three irrigation treatments were applied: a) well water (control), b) RW (5 dS m -1 ) with a constant leaching fraction of 23% (RWL), and c) RW (5 dS m -1 ) with a constant leaching fraction of 15% and 50% flushing every nine irrigation events (RWF). After five months of exposure to the RW, plant size, leaf area, specific leaf area, plant DW, stem diameter and shoot/root ratio were reduced, but both compactness and the appearance of the plants remained high. RWF reduced leaf area, plant dry weight, stem diameter, leaf lightness, leaf chroma and leaf SPAD compared with the RWL. Water consumption per pot was higher in control (50.58 L), followed by RWL (24.29 L) and RWF (19.6 L). Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were 50% lower in RWL plants than in the control, while the RWF plants had the lowest rates. RWF caused damages in the photochemical apparatus. This study confirms that: a) weeping fig is a good candidate for being grown with saline RW without compromising its aesthetic value; b) RW may be regarded as a good alternative to the retardants used in this plant; and c) the recommended irrigation would be RWL.Additional key words: irrigation; ornamental plant; pot plant; salinity. Resumen El riego con agua residual depurada salina permite producir ficus (Ficus benjamina L.) en maceta con una pérdida de calidad mínimaEl objetivo del estudio fue investigar las limitaciones del riego con agua residual regenerada salina (RW) en la producción de Ficus benjamina L. en maceta. Se valoró también la efectividad de dos niveles de drenaje para reducir los efectos negativos del RW. Los tratamientos fueron: a) agua no salina (control), b) RW con 5 dS m -1 y un 23% de drenaje (RWL), y c) RW con 5 dS m -1 y un 15% de drenaje, más un 50% de lavado cada 9 riegos (RWF). Después de 5 meses bajo RW el tamaño de la planta, área foliar, área foliar específica, peso seco de la planta, diámetro del tallo y el ratio parte aérea/raíz fueron reducidos, mientras que la compacidad y el aspecto ornamental estuvieron dentro de los patrones comerciales adecuados. RWF produjo una disminución del área foliar, peso seco de la planta, diámetro del tallo, luminosidad y saturación del color de la hoja, y de la clorofila foliar (SPAD) en comparación con RWL. El consumo de agua fue mayor en el control (50,58 L), seguido de RWL (24,29 L) y RWF (19,6 L). La fotosíntesis y la conductancia estomática fueron un 50% menor en las plantas bajo RWL respecto al control, mientras que las plantas bajo RWF presentaron los registros más bajos. RWF produjo daños en el aparato fotoquímico. Este estudio indica que: a)

Control of Substrate Water Availability Using Soil Sensors and Effects of Water Deficit on the Morphology and Physiology of Potted Hebe andersonii

“…The volumetric water content (VWC) was calculated from the voltage output of the EC5 sensors (mV) using a substrate-specific calibration equation. The calibration line was obtained following the procedure described by Valdés et al [33]: VWC = 4.942 • mV − 0.676, R 2 = 0.98. The CR1000 data-logger was programmed using Loggernet 3 (Campbell Scientific Inc.) to log the sensor output every 1 h during the experiment.…”

Towards a Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies Involving Phytoprotectants against Salt Stress

“…WWTP supplies an important amount of beneficial nutrients, which can improve soil fertility. However, its use may also result in serious problems associated with salinity and high boron concentrations [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Efecto del uso de aguas de distinta calidad en el desarrollo, aspectos fisiológicos, nutricionales y ornamentales de plantas de Euonymus japonica Thunb. y Viburnum tinus L.

“…Several ornamental plants and cut flower crops, such as Limonium, Dianthus, Celosia, Gypsophila, Matthiola, Chrysanthemun Antirrhinum, Polygala myrtifolia and Ficus benjamina have been identified as suitable for water reuse systems (Shillo et al 2002;Carter et al 2005;Grieve et al 2006;Friedman et al 2007;Carter and Grieve 2008;Bañón et al 2011;Valdés et al 2012). However, other research projects have provided controversial results probably due to the different cultivation techniques and environments or to the different characteristics of the species under observation (Fox et al 2005;Gori et al 2000;Gori et al 2008;Bañón et al 2011;Miralles et al 2011).…”

“…Reclaimed water is a valuable resource for irrigation water, since, besides acting as an alternative water resource, its use decreases the potential for environmental contamination and puts the nutrients it contains to good use, providing fertilizers to plants (Angelakis et al 1999;Adrover et al 2008). For this reason reclaimed water is being widely studied in many developing countries (Pedrero et al 2010;Norton-Brandao et al 2013), especially for use in agricultural plants (Reboll et al 2000;Paranychianakis et al 2004;Pedrero et al 2013) and, to a lesser extent, in ornamental plants Valdés et al 2012;Cassaniti et al 2013;Gómez-Bellot et al 2013a, 2013b).…”

“…Several studies have shown the environmental and agronomical interest of using reclaimed water for irrigation in different crops(Aiello et al. 2007;Boland 2008;Pedrero et al 2012) and it has been reported that successful wastewater reuse in agriculture requires selection of salt tolerant crops, appropriate irrigation systems and water management practices(Bañón et al 2011;Valdés et al 2012). WhileCassaniti et al (2012) have analyzed the use of brackish water for growing ornamentals and the effects of salinity on these plants (growth reductions, leaf burn, loss of nutrient availability), little information exists concerning the advantages of using reclaimed water for growing floricultural crops.Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are the most common and widespread mycorrhizal associations, and it is estimated that this symbiosis occurs in over twothirds of terrestrial vascular plant species(Smith and Read 2008).…”