Suitability Assessment of Effluent of Mineral Water Bottling Factory for Crop Irrigation

Abstract

Agricultural production in Ethiopia is mostly dependent on rain water and this kind of production system is severely affected by climatic irregularities. Thus, it is increasingly becoming obvious that reuse of wastewater especially, industrial effluent is one promising solution. Conversely, without detailed investigation, based on knowledge of the possible harmful effects on plants and soils, prolonged use of such waters will be challenging. In light of this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of effluent of Ambo Mineral Water Bottling Factory (untreated) at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) for crop cultivation. Accordingly an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of effluent on growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris (Haricot beans). The methodology of the study was: Lab analysis of wastewater samples, soil and pot experiment with replications. Each treatment had nine replications, of which four are non-destructive sampling and five are for destructive sampling. Measurements of different growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, numbers of branches and plant fresh and dry weight have been done each 15 days after sowing. Comparison of seed yield and number of pods was also done after end of maturity. The result indicated that most of physico-chemical characteristics of the industrial effluent, except HCO₃^-, K⁺, Ni and F^-, met the irrigation quality requirements for crop production and it was found to be a reach source of useful plant nutrients like N, P, K, Ca and Mg. The effluent irrigation had significant (P<0.05) effect on soil parameters viz. PH, EC,