Fertirrigation of Canavalia ensiformis using different domestic wastewater concentrations

Resumen

This study assessed the growth of Canavalia ensiformis (used as green manure), irrigated with different concentrations of wastewater. We evaluated the early, vegetative and reproductive development of the species. The experimental designs were completely randomized with five treatments and 30 repetitions (for the evaluation of early development) and 8 repetitions (for the evaluation of the vegetative and reproductive development). Five groups were established: A100 – 100% of water supply, L100 – 100% of water coming from a stabilization pond for domestic sewage, L75, L50 and L25 – mixtures of supply water and wastewater from the stabilization pond (25-75%, 50-50% and 75-25%, respectively). The results show that the treatments did not affect the initial development of the species, since no differences were observed between groups, when comparing variable germination speed index (GSI), germination mean time (GMT), germination rate (GR), seedling length and dry weight. On the other hand, the L100 and L75 groups had higher shoot length, total number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches and pods produced. The number of flower buds was higher in group L100. Regarding the fresh biomass and dry areas of the aerial parts, roots and total phytomass, the L100 and L75 groups showed statistically higher values. It is concluded that the best plant growth occurred in groups L100 and L75, with fertirrigation containing 100% and 75% wastewater, respectively.