Use of wastewater as a nutrient solution in a closed gravel hydroponic culture of giant reed (Arundo donax).
The objective of this experimental work was to examine the efficiency of giant reed (Arundo donax L.), as a source of biomass production and as a biofiltering device for sewage effluents. Two giant reed populations were cultivated in a closed gravel hydroponic system, where pig's waste was used as a nutrient solution. The results showed that stem biomass production varied from 12 to 23 kg DM m(-2) yr(-1), more than the ordinary production in the soil. According to stem analysis, for the first two years, there was an average infiltration rate of 31 g m(-2) yr(-1) total N, 7.5 g m(-2) yr(-1) total P, 18.8 g m(-2) yr(-1) K, 2.1 g m(-2) yr(-1) Ca, 2.1 g m(-2) yr(-1) Mg, 0.27 g m(-2) yr(-1) Fe, 0.02 g m(-2) yr(-1) Mn, 0.14 g m(-2) yr(-1) Zn and 0.08 g m(-2) yr(-1) Cu. During the third year, when a nutrient solution with added P was used, the average infiltration rate for most elements increased by 46% and for P by 169%.
Mavrogianopoulos
G
G
Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. naxos@auadec.aua.gr
Vogli
V
V
Kyritsis
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D018527:Hydroponics; D063245:Plant Development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D006109:Poaceae / Q000502:physiology*; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014867:Water; D014871:Water Microbiology
D012722:Sewage; D014867:Water