Effect of Irrigation with Wastewater on Yield and Quality of Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.)

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of wastewater on yield and quality of okra plant, an experiment was carried out in wastewater filtration station of Kerman University during 2008 using a completely randomized block design with three replications. Treatments included different concentrations of wastewater (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) applied with drip method. The results showed that the use of wastewater as irrigation water increased total measured parameters. Furthermore, treatment of 100% wastewater significantly increased the chlorophyll content (32%), plant height (33%), stem diameter (25%), fruit fresh weight (36%) and fruit dry weight (12%), fruit number (31%), root dry weight (16%) and biomass of okra (37%). In contrast, wastewater increased concentration of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, iron and sodium in okra plants. Different concentrations of wastewater had no significant effect on accumulation of copper and zinc in okra. In summary, it could be concluded that wastewater can be used for irrigation of okra without the problem of excessive accumulation of elements in this plant.

Keywords

• Wastewater
• Yield
• Quality of okra