Water Science & Technology Vol 66 No 3 pp 681–688 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wst.2012.230
Nematode suppression and growth stimulation in corn plants (Zea mays L.) irrigated with domestic effluent
Kenia Kelly Barros, Clístenes Williams Araújo do Nascimento and Lourdinha Florencio
Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Technology Center. Academic Center of Westland, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) Brazil E-mail: kenia.silva@ufpe.br
Soil Fertility Laboratory, Agronomy Department, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE) Brazil
Environmental Sanitation Group, Technology and Geoscience Center, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) Brazil
ABSTRACT
Treated wastewater has great potential for agricultural use due to its concentrations of nutrients and organic matter, which are capable of improving soil characteristics. Additionally, effluents can induce suppression of plant diseases caused by soil pathogens. This study evaluates the effect of irrigation with effluent in a UASB reactor on maize (Zea mays L.) development and on suppression of the diseases caused by nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne. Twelve lysimeters of 1 m3 each were arranged in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and three replicates. The following treatments were used: T1 (W+I), irrigation with water and infestation with nematodes; T2 (W+I+NPK), irrigation with water, infestation with nematodes and fertilization with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K); T3 (E+I), irrigation with effluent and infestation with nematodes; and T4 (E+I+P), irrigation with effluent, infestation with nematodes and fertilization with phosphorus. The plants irrigated with the effluent plus the phosphorus fertilizer had better growth and productivity and were more resistant to the disease symptoms caused by the nematodes. The suppression levels may have been due to the higher levels of Zn and NO3− found in the leaf tissue of the plants irrigated with the effluent and phosphorus fertilizer.
Keywords: corn; effluent; irrigation; nematodes; reuse; suppressiveness
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