Corn Irrigation with Reclaimed Municipal Wastewater

Abstract

The effects of effluent from Thessaloniki, the second most populated Greek city, reclaimed either by activated sludge or by stabilization ponds, were studied on field-grown corn. The experimental layout was that of a split- plot design with six replications, three water qualities and two irrigation methods. Potable water was used as the control. No significant differences in corn yield have been observed among the three water-quality treatments. However, significant differences have been observed in corn yield between the irrigation methods. Furrow irrigation has produced about 10% more corn yield than trickle irrigation. There is a potential risk of facing problems related to soil salinity and alkalinity if no consideration for soil reclamation is taken into account. The trace element concentration in the soil and plant was low. The chlorinated effluent was free of pathogens, while the presence of pathogens was detected in the non-chlorinated effluent reclaimed by the stabilization ponds.