Utilization of nutrients from wastewater by wheat

Abstract

Wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L., Cultivar Siete Cerros) were grown on three textures of native Gila series soils using several wastewater, wastewater-well water, and fertilizer treatments. Various physical and chemical plant parameters were measured. The results were inconclusive in providing a true measure of increased yield or chemical composition changes of the wheat straw due to wastewater applications. Chemical analysis of the soils, after two consecutive crops of wheat were grown to maturity in each treatment, revealed several good indicators of wastewater induced chemical changes. Electrical conductivity and sodium and phosphorus content of the soils were shown to be good measures of soil chemical changes resulting from wastewater applications.