Wastewater Irrigation and Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetable Crops (Broccoli and Cauliflower)

Abstract

The present study was conducted aiming to determine the effects of different irrigation water sources on some heavy metal uptake by winter crops (Cauliflower and Broccoli). This experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, and three water irrigation sources (Clean water, Wastewater, and alternate use of the a clean-water followed by two Wastewater irrigation, under the surface irrigation system, during the growing seasons in 2018-2019. The results showed that Broccoli crops heavy metal uptake (Pb, Cd, Fe and Cu) were significantly higher in broccoli irrigated with clean and waste water sources alternatively (B-W2 Treatment) (0.0250 ± 0.000, 0.0421 ± 0.001, 4.2247 ± 0.001, and 0.1513 ± 0.001),respectively, compared to the rest of other treatments while the lowest concentrations of the studied heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe and Cu) recorded in cauliflower irrigated with clean water (C-C1 treatment) (0.0239 ± 0.000, 0.0383 ± 0.001, 4.2077 ± 0.001 and 0.1447 ± 0.001), respectively.