Hydroponic cultivation of leafy vegetables in primary and secondary municipal wastewater

This study looks into the potential cultivation of butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) using municipal wastewater in deep flow technique. Seedlings were grown in 3 treatments; primary effluent, secondary effluent and half-strength nutrient solution (control). Crop growth measurements, tissue minerals and quality of primary and secondary wastewater effluents, were determined at 16 and 32 days after transplanting. Phytotoxity symptoms on chinese cabbage grown in both primary and secondary effluents were observed while butterhead lettuce grew to maturity with little adverse effects. However, the yield of butterhead lettuce and chinese cabbage were lower than those grown in control. Primary effluent produced the lowest yield.