Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present research was to study the impact of dairy industry effluent fertigation on agronomical characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Methods/Statistical Analysis: The treatments of such effluent, namely 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were used for the cultivation of wheat. The effluent of such industry had significant amounts of nitrogen (28mg/l), phosphorous (13.10mg/l), potassium (168.2mg/l), copper (0.75mg/l), iron (<1mg/l) and nitrate (11.9mg/l) that may support plant growth. The effluent had no heavy metals like Cd, Co, Ni and Pb. Findings: The studies exposed that effluent at dilution of 50% showed the significant effect on seed germination percentage of 94.10 after seven days of irrigation. The shoot length (33.20cm), root length (12.90cm), total growth of plant (46.10cm), dry weight (0.57g), chlorophyll content (0.60) and nitrogen content (2.70%) were increased after one month of treatment with 50% concentration at lab scale. Significantly increased shoot length (48.35cm), root length (9.20cm), total growth of plant (57.55cm) and dry weight (0.71g) were observed maximum at concentration of 50% at pilot scale. The maximum agronomic performance of wheat was noticed with 50% concentration of dairy industry effluent. Application: The treated effluent of dairy industry had potential to be used as liquid fertilizer by mixing it with soil after appropriate dilution.

Keywords: Dairy Industry, Dairy Industry Effluent, Irrigation, Macronutrients, Wheat