ABSTRACT The application of wastewater to irrigate soils may be an attractive option for paper mills, especially when the effluents can also provide nutrients to plants. Since there could be negative environmental effects, such activity must be preceded by a thorough evaluation of the consequences. The changes in soil quality of a Neossolo Flúvico Distrófico (Typic Udifluvent) were evaluated over a period of six years of irrigation with treated effluent from a wood pulp company. Although effluent application for six […]

ABSTRACT Soil irrigation using treated wastewater in the Brazilian semiarid region is a promising practice as this area currently faces water scarcity and pollution of water resources by domestic sewage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of treated wastewater in drip irrigation and its effect on the chemistry of soil cultivated with squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) Coroa IAC and to verify whether there was an increase in soil salinity under a semiarid climate. The experiment was […]

One way of classifying water quality is by means of indices, in which a series of parameters analyzed are joined a single value, facilitating the interpretation of extensive lists of variables or indicators, underlying the classification of water quality. The objective of this study was to develop a statistically based index to classify water according to the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), to evaluate the ionic composition of water for use in irrigation and classify it by its source. For […]

Salinity is one of the most limiting factors to plant growth and development. Plant survival in saline environments depends on adaptive processes involving uptake, transport, and distribution of ions in plant organs. To evaluate growth and mineral nutrition of Gliricidia sepium seedlings under saline conditions, an experiment was carried out under nylon-mesh protection, at the Federal University of Campina Grande, in Patos – PB. Seeds were sown in pots containing Hoagland & Arnon nutrient solution with four NaCl levels (0, […]

There are several regions of the world where soil N analysis and/or N budgets are not used to determine how much N to apply, resulting in higher than needed N inputs, especially when manure is used. One such region is the North Central “La Comarca Lagunera”, one of the most important dairy production areas of Mexico. We conducted a unique controlled greenhouse study using 15N fertilizer and 15N isotopic-labeled manure that was labeled under local conditions to monitor N cycling […]

The cultivation of Atriplex nummularia on saline-sodic soils is economically attractive because it can be used as a forage crop as well as in landscape projects. The potential of Atriplex nummularia for phytoextraction of Na+ from a saline-sodic soil irrigated with saline water was evaluated. Additionally, gypsum was tested for improving phytoremediation. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of: no gypsum and 50 % of the […]

In the region of Janaúba, northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil, banana yields are high due to the highly technical agriculture of the region, with intensive use of fertilizers and systematic plant disease and pest control. However, farmers frequently report a decline in banana yields, particularly when water from deep wells is used for irrigation. We therefore studied the effect of irrigation water from wells and from the Gorutuba River on soil chemical characteristics of areas with banana cultivation. Soil samples […]

The influence of the salt content of two contrasting water sources (river and shallow well) on the hydraulic attributes of a clay loam Fluvic Inceptisol were tested. The experiment was carried out in 2000/2001 agricultural year on a 5,000 m2 plantation of Musa sp banana, cultivar pacovan. It consisted of a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of two water sources and three irrigation levels (L1, L2 and L3), applied via microsprinkling. Results showed that the different irrigation levels and water quality did not […]

The alluvial soil of the Assunção Island, in the São Francisco River, Cabrobó, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, has been intensively cultivated with annual crops under irrigation. The present yields are unsatisfactory due to the use of inadequate agricultural practices that are not sustainable. This study aimed to survey the soil chemical properties in an area of 1,131 ha by collecting 1,053 samples in the 0-0.30 m surface soil layer. The samples were analyzed for chemical properties and the data were […]

Increased Ca2+ concentrations in the root environment have been suggested to minimize salinity effects on plant growth. In this work, seedlings of two forage sorghum genotypes (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), one salt tolerant (CSF 20) and the other salt sensitive (CSF 18), were exposed to two Na+ (0 and 75 mmol L-1) and two Ca2+ (0.65 and 2.60 mmol L-1) levels in nutrient solution, in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. After seven days of salt treatment, the shoot and root dry matter as well as Cl–, Na+, […]