The effect of the quality of irrigation with wastewater on some vegetables

The rapid increase in the world population and climate changes cause an increase in the demand for current water resources. With the increasing population and developing industry, the need for water and the use of water also increase in parallel with the increase in the population. The reuse of urban wastewater with appropriate strategies also contributes to environmental health and prevention of water pollution. In the face of limited water resources and increasing water demands, the recovery and reuse of wastewater is becoming more and more important not only in dense urban areas, but also in rural areas. In this context, it is aimed to determine the effects of the use of treated wastewater on the physiological and morphological characteristics, yield and quality characteristics in the cultivation of red capia pepper and eggplant varieties, which are economically important agricultural products. In addition, it is aimed to determine the suitability for human health by making heavy metal analyzes (Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn)) in terms of food safety in the harvested products. When the analysis results are examined; The yield value, which is an important parameter, There is an increase of up to 98.32% in species and varieties irrigated with treated wastewater compared to tap water applications, when the wastewater application was compared with the mains water, it was determined that the highest yield increase was 174.16%. Superior results were obtained in wastewater applications in terms of yield parameters as well as other morphological and quality characteristics. When examined in terms of heavy metal values. It has been determined that the Pb value is at the limit value in the Urfa İsot variety, which is produced only with wastewater application. In line with the data obtained in the study, it was determined that there is no harm in wastewater application, heavy metals in vegetables such as pepper and eggplant. As a result, it is revealed that treated wastewater and wastewater applications used as irrigation water can be used in capia pepper and eggplant varieties. However, it should not be forgotten that the quality and content of domestic and urban wastewater vary according to the basin where the wastewater is collected and the seasons. Before using the wastewater as irrigation water, the relevant parameters given in the regulation for the plants to be irrigated should be analyzed and irrigation applications should be controlled and supervised.