Effect of textile wastewater on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Textile wastewater can be a good source of nutrients in addition to meet the crop water requirements in areas facing water shortage problem. The use of untreated industrial wastewater can be hazardous for end users and soil environment due to high concentration of pollutants. The toxic effects of wastewater could be reduced by dilution of these pollutants. A pot trial was conducted to evaluate the suitability of untreated textile wastewater at different dilution levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100%) for improving growth, physiology and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L .). Tap water (0 % dilution level) was applied as control treatment. Results showed that textile effluents negatively affected growth and yield of wheat. Maximum reduction in growth, yield, chemical and physiological parameters of wheat was recorded on application of textile wastewater (100% wastewater dilution level). However, on dilution, inhibitory effects of textile wastewater on all measured parameters of wheat were significantly reduced. In addition, effects of 10% and 20% diluted textile effluent on growth and yield of wheat was statistically at par with control. So, it can be concluded that although textile wastewater imparts negative effects on wheat but on dilution it can be used for irrigation of wheat in areas facing water scarcity. However, dyes or their intermediates even in the diluted textile wastewater after entering into food chain may cause harm to human. Such wastewater could be used for biomass production of bioenergy crops and further studies are required to test toxicity impacts of textile wastewater on human through food chain.