Urban agriculture, using sustainable practices that involve the reuse of wastewater and solid waste

M.N. Rojas-Valencia, M.T. Orta de Velásquez and Víctor Franco

Agricultural Water Management, 2011, vol. 98, issue 9, 1388-1394

Abstract: This study proposes a safe method for the disinfection of wastewater destined for reuse in urban agriculture. It also discusses the year-round production of fresh vegetables in confined urban spaces, using sustainable practices that involve the recycling and reuse of waste while at the same time saving water. To address the aforementioned problems, this study aimed to determine the efficiency of applying organoponic techniques to urban crops, using selected organic compounds and recyclable solid waste products, plus home-made organic fertilizers and treated wastewater. The results obtained demonstrate that in addition to disinfecting the wastewater, ozone contributes oxygen and nutrients to the soil, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Ozone also reduces the risk of infection by eliminating highly pathogenic micro-organisms, and increases the rate of plant growth such as: radishes (Raphanus sativus L.), tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum), spearmint (Mentha piperita), camomile (Matricaria recutita), Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa). Great benefits can therefore be derived from employing these urban agriculture techniques because, in addition to putting to good use waste products that are generated by the ton, these techniques also produce quality food plants that are 100% organic.

Keywords: Sustainable; practices; Reuse; Solid; waste; and; wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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