Abstract

ZAMORA, Frank; RODRIGUEZ, Nectali; TORRES, Duilio  and  YENDIS, Héctor. Use of wastewater for irrigation and its effect on chemical properties of soils in the plains of Coro, Falcon State, Venezuela. Bioagro [online]. 2008, vol.20, n.3, pp.193-199. ISSN 1316-3361.

With the purpose of determining the potential use of wastewaters as alternative for irrigation in the semi-arid areas of Falcon State, it was evaluated the effect on chemical properties of soils in three production zones located in the Coro plains: one under permanent irrigation of pasture, other with intermittent irrigation of vegetables, and an area of virgin soils without use of wastewaters. Results showed that the permanent use of wastewater on pasture improved soil fertility because it led to increments in the organic matter, P, K, and Mg contents. However, the continuous use of the wastewater increased the soil content of cadmium and lead at levels that could be harmful to health due to probable crop contamination with heavy metals.

Keywords : Soil fertility; organic matter; heavy metals; semi-arid areas.