Ferti-irrigation Effect of Paper Mill Effluent on Agronomical Practices of Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) in Two Seasons.

The potential of agrobased paper mill effluent (PME) as ferti-irrigant was assessed. Ferti-irrigation responses to 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of PME doses onPhaseolus vulgarisL., cv. Annapurna, in the rainy and summer seasons were investigated. The fertigant concentrations produced changes in electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), phosphate (PO43–), sulfate (SO42–), iron (Fe2+), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) of the soil in both seasons. The agronomic performances ofP. vulgarisincreased from 5 to 25% in both seasons compared to controls. The accumulation of metals increased in soil andP. vulgarisfrom 5 to 100% PME concentrations in both seasons. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals was in order of Cr > Mn > Cu > Cd > Zn for soil and Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd > Cr forP. vulgarisin both seasons after fertigation with PME. Therefore, PME can be used to improve the soil fertility and yield ofP. vulgarisafter appropriate dilution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]