Soil and crop spatial variability in maize irrigated with domestic effluent

Abstract

Wastewater use in agriculture is a high-potential alternative for coping with water scarcity. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of using wastewater and sewage sludge on soil attributes in an irrigated maize plantation in the Brazilian northeastern semi-arid region, at an experimental reuse unit. Two experimental plots were installed with the following treatments: wastewater and sludge, and irrigation with wastewater only. The presence of sludge reduced the salt content and promoted an increase in the soil organic matter content, reducing the salinization risk. Biometric parameters showed no spatial dependence. On the other hand, soil moisture, electrical conductivity, sand content, clay content and sodium and potassium contents showed strong spatial dependence for the treatment with sludge application.