Environmental Implications of Soil Properties and Essential Nutrient Interactions, Under the Effect of Treated Municipal Wastewater

An experiment of randomized block design was conducted during 2005 in a green-house, Agrinion Greece. The effect of two variables was studied on the interactions between essential nutrients and the soil physical and chemical properties, i.e. treated municipal waste water (TMWW), and fresh irrigation water, denoted as "control". The experiment was done in six replications with a total of 2 x 6 = 12 experimental plots of 2.5 m x 1, 8 m = 4.5 m(2) size. Brassica oleracea var. Gemmifera (Brussels sprouts) was used as a test plant. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the possibility of TMWW reuse for the irrigation of the aforementioned vegetable. The analytical data obtained, was statistically processed by ANOVA, t-test and regression analysis. The following were found: A considerable number of "two-way" statistically significant interactions (64) occurred in the soil. Most of those related to CaCO3 and pH were found to be antagonistic, some being synergistic related to organic matter, and few biphasic (synergistic/ antagonistic,) associated to either of the soil properties. The effects on the interactions of the two variables studied did not differ statistically significantly.