Speaker
Description
Water scarcity is a critical issue in agriculture, driving the search for sustainable alternatives to conventional irrigation practices. This study investigates the potential of secondary treated wastewater by activated sludge (TW2) as a nutrient source for hydroponic cultivation of rocket (Eruca sativa) using a passive wick system. Several growth and biochemical indicators were monitored to assess plant performance under TW2 irrigation compared to the standard Hoagland nutrient solution (T+). Results showed that TW2 irrigation caused a slight reduction in root length by 6.7%, while shoot length increased by 66.6%. However, total chlorophyll content decreased by 45.9%. Total soluble protein content was reduced by 12.9% in plants irrigated with TW2 (62.6 mg/g FW) compared to the control (71.9 mg/g FW). Notably, proline accumulation was nearly ten-fold higher under TW2 treatment, highlighting a strong adaptive mechanism to the conditions imposed by wastewater irrigation. These findings demonstrate that secondary-treated wastewater can be a viable alternative to conventional nutrient solutions in low-cost hydroponic systems. This work contributes to advancing water reuse strategies in sustainable horticulture, particularly for leafy vegetables cultivated under water-limited conditions.
Keywords: Water reuse, Eruca sativa, Hydroponics, Sustainable agriculture
