Effect of Wastewater and Compost Application on Growth Indeces and Absorption of Nutrients in Basil

Document Type : Research Article

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Abstract

In this research in order to investigate the effect of municipal waste wastewater and compost on growth parameters and heavy metals concentration in basil a completely randomized factorial experiment (with three repeat) was desgned and illustrated in lysimeteric greenhouse condition. The first factor consists of three watering: treated wastewater (W1), a composition of 50% raw wastewater and 50% fresh water (W2) and fresh water (W3). The second factor consisted of two levels of compost: 80 tons per hectare (C1) and without any compost (C2) and third factor concerned to the time of harvesting (T1, T2 and T3). After lysimeters design and construction, they were filled with three layer of soil based on natural soil profile of the region and and than basil was cultivated. The results showed that the effect watering quality on all growth paramiters and heavy metal (except Zn in the leaves) were significant. W1 identified as a watering with the highest heavy metal concentration. The effect of compost on plant growth parameters was only significant effect on stem height. It also showed significant effects on all heavy metal except cadmium. The maximum growth parameters and heavy metal concentration were observed in C1. Time of harvesting effect on dry weight and plant height were significant. This results show that the growth parameters and heavy metal concentration were increased during the next harvesting. Interaction effect of watering quality and compost was not significant, excepted to Pb and Mn in leaves. The interaction of watering quality and harvesting were significant only in wet and dry weights. The maximum crop wet (377.78) and dry (42.83 gm) weights were observed in W1T2 and W1T3, respectively. The highest concentration of Pb (0.17) and Mn (53.28 mg in dry weight) was observed in treated C1W2.

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