Treated sewage water improves wheat growth
ABU DHABI: A study by Emirati researcher Dr Fatima Al Hammadi, titled, “Using and Assessing Treated Water in Wheat Production,” reached key outcomes in terms of accelerating growth and improving the production of wheat using treated sewage water.
The field study focused on the cultivation of two types of wheat modified for planting in the UAE’S environment from two plants in Abu Dhabi using three techniques, which are traditional field cultivation by drip irrigation, hydroponics, and cultivation in line with the effects of climate change.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Hammadi said that the use of hydroponics technology has achieved promising results when using treated sewage in the preparation of the aqueous solution, adding the results from trials in various climate change rooms concluded that there is a direct relationship between the proportion of carbon dioxide and the growth of wheat plants, and increasing the incidence of ultraviolet rays led to significant changes to the growth rate of wheat compared to the experiment’s control group when an adequate amount of nutrients and other physiological factors that stimulate growth and increase production are available.
The highest wheat productivity rate was achieved when using treated sewage water produced from Al Ain City stations, due to its chemical and physical composition, she added, noting that relevant authorities are currently considering the possibility of benefiting from this water for agricultural purposes, in line with relevant standards, which could involve many agricultural crops.
Al Hammadi presented the key findings of the study, which conducted research on using treated sewage water from Al Ain and Abu Dhabi to cultivate wheat.
Relevant authorities have drated plans to develop the infrastructure of sewage plants to increase the quality of treated water used in several sectors, including the agricultural sector, she noted.
Dr Al Hammadi said the key factors that improve wheat quality are the fertility of the soil, which must contain important nutrients for wheat crops, and the quality of irrigated water used in agriculture, as well as choosing the appropriate planting season.
The study concluded that treated sewage water production is increasing with the rise in the country’s population, social advancement and economic development.