The Effect of Wastewater Irrigation Rate on Dry Matter Yield of Selected Field Crops

This study investigated the rate, intensity and types of wastewater irrigation on dry matter yield of selected crops under field conditions (St Kilda, South Australia). A completely randomised block design was employed for the plant growth experiment, where seven field crops (sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), canola (Brassica napus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), maize (Zea mays), napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and giant reed (Arundo donax) were employed to evaluate the influence of wastewater application on dry matter production. Two types of wastewater (abattoir wastewater (AWW) and municipal wastewater (MWW) and tap water (TW) as a control treatment) and two different loading rates were applied throughout the planting period based on the irrigation requirements (400 mm yr-1 ha-1 and 800 mmyr-1 ha-1). Overall, the plots irrigated with 800 mm wastewater (AWW) showed significantly higher yield than the plots irrigated with 400 mm wastewater (MWW) and TW in all the plots of seven plant species used. The overall trend in biomass yield for three water types and loading rates followed AWW 800 mm>AWW 400 mm>MWW 800 mm > MWW 400 mm > and TW 800 mm treatment, for all the crops. However, the percentage DM yield varied significantly among the crops.