Rationalizing wastewater reuse in horticulture, while exploiting its potential benefit

Wastewater may represent an alternative source for irrigation and mineral nutrients in intensive agriculture, offering potential agronomical and environmental advantages. This work investigates the effect of WW (secondary treated wastewater) used for irrigation, on the vegetative growth and physiological response of 2 year old nectarine trees. To this end, trees (Big Top/GF 677) were individually grown on 40-L pots filled with a sandy-loamy soil and drip irrigated with: a) Tap water (C) (unfertilized trees); b) Tap water (F) (mineral fertilized trees) and c) Secondary treated wastewater (WW) (trees did not receive mineral fertilizers). Each treatment was applied to five individual trees. Regardless of the water source, trees received 360 L tree-1 season-1. Shoot length and stem cross sectional area were promoted by WW, compared to C trees, WW did not show any negative effect on both plant water status and plant photosynthetic rate. Results indicate how WW may be conveniently recycled as water source in the irrigation strategies of perennial species grown in temperate environments.