Ornamental Plant Response to Percentage of Reclaimed Water Irrigation

Abstract

Vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don], salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. and Schult.), Dwarf Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria Ait. ‘Nana’), and ‘Helleri’ holly (Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Helleri’) were grown in 2.3-L containers with soilless substrates in a greenhouse. Irrigation was applied as needed to the substrate surface or applied to the substrate surface and applied over plant foliage. Irrigation for both application methods was composed of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% reclaimed water (processed sewage) with deionized water composing the remainder. Shoot dry weights of marketable-sized plants were either larger or similar when 100% reclaimed water was used compared with 0% reclaimed water (deionized). Root dry weights exhibited a similar response except for salvia roots that were smaller with 100% reclaimed water irrigation regardless of application method. Leachate NO3-N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) generally decreased throughout the experiments for vinca and Dwarf Yaupon holly and were highest at experiment midpoint for ‘Helleri’ holly and lowest for salvia. Leachate electrical conductivities (ECs) were generally highest at experiment termination for vinca and salvia, whereas ECs of Dwarf Yaupon and ‘Helleri’ holly tended to peak at experimental midpoint and then decrease slightly at termination. ECs were usually less than 2 dS·m−1 except at experimental midpoint (4.5 months) for ‘Helleri’ holly. Based on the response of plants in this research, high-quality reclaimed water is a viable water source for annual and woody container-grown nursery crops.