Effects of Reclaimed Water on the Growth and Fruit Quality of Cucumber
Journal
Irrigation and Drainage
Journal Volume
64
Journal Issue
3
Pages
370-377
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using reclaimed water for cucumber irrigation. The experiment was conducted using raw canal water, and water reclaimed from treated wastewater using a natural recycling treatment system. The raw water quality met the Irrigation Water Quality Standards of Taiwan. The water quality of reclaimed water was treated within the ranges of DO: 3.9-8.4 (mg l-1); pH: 6.5-7.8; EC: 206-587 (μs cm-1, 25 °C); SS: 0.1-11.8 (mg l-1); NH4-N: 0-18.16 (mg l-1) and BOD: 0.1-1.8 (mg l-1). The experimental period for cucumber growth was 75 days. Rg was defined as the different multiple of plant growth and used to estimate the effects of irrigation water quality. Furthermore, yield, weight, length, and diameter of cucumbers were used to quantify the influence of irrigation water quality on cucumber quality. Result shows that Rg was within the range (1.003-1.311). The heights of cucumbers grown using reclaimed water were longer than those grown using raw water. Comparing the yield, weight, length, and diameter of cucumbers irrigated by reclaimed water (RW) and by raw water (IW), the percentages of RW/IW were respectively 154, 96, 95.5 and 101%. Based on the results, this study concludes that using reclaimed water for cucumber irrigation is feasible.
SDGs
Type
journal article