Agronomic Performance of Soybean and Sorghum Irrigated with Slaughterhouse-Treated Effluent

Amarilys Macari de Giz, Marcos Rodrigues de Oliveira Junior, Tamara Maria Gomes, Ângela Silviane Moura Cunha, Juliana de Fátima Vizú and Fabrício Rossi ()
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Amarilys Macari de Giz: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo, Pádua Dias Avenue, No. 11, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Marcos Rodrigues de Oliveira Junior: School of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Street, No. 225, Jardim Elite, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Tamara Maria Gomes: School of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Street, No. 225, Jardim Elite, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Ângela Silviane Moura Cunha: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo, Pádua Dias Avenue, No. 11, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Juliana de Fátima Vizú: Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo, Pádua Dias Avenue, No. 11, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Fabrício Rossi: School of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Street, No. 225, Jardim Elite, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: The slaughterhouse-treated effluent, enriched with nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, presents a promising alternative for water and nutrient reuse in irrigated crop systems. This study assessed the chemical composition of the effluent, nutrient dynamics in the soil, and agronomic performance of soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr) and sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under fertigation. A randomized block design was used, with five treatments (tap water—control—and four effluent levels: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) applied to two crop species, with four replications. The effluent exhibited elevated concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen (43.9 ± 18.7 mg L −1 ), and potassium (13.1 ± 3.8 mg L −1 ), confirming its potential as a nutrient source. No significant differences were observed in soybean plant height across treatments, whereas early-stage sorghum growth showed only slight variation. Irrigation with treated effluent successfully replaced 100% of tap water in both soybean and sorghum, with no significant differences in productivity across concentrations. These results demonstrate the agronomic feasibility of using treated effluent as a substitute for tap water and synthetic fertilizers. Moreover, they highlight its potential as a sustainable input for fertigation, contributing to resource efficiency and promoting more integrated and environmentally conscious agricultural practices.

Keywords: effluent reuse; Glycine max (L.) Merr; Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench; wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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