Effect of Wastewater Irrigation on Accumulation of Major Nutrients and Heavy Metals in different Plant Parts of Marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

A field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of wastewater irrigation on accumulation of major nutrients and heavy metals in different plant parts ofmarigold (Tagetes patula L. cv. Pusa deep) at Water Technology Centre farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during period of 2020- 21. Eight treatments T-1: Groundwater irrigation scheduled at 25% MAD (v =27%); T-2: Groundwater irrigation scheduled at 50% MAD (v=22.5%) T-3: Groundwater irrigation scheduled at 75% MAD (v=18%); T4: Groundwater irrigation scheduled as per farmers practice/recommended POP; T-5: Wastewater irrigation scheduled at 25% MAD (v= 27%); T-6: Wastewater irrigation scheduled at 50% MAD (v= 22.5%); T-7: Wastewater irrigation scheduled at 50% MAD (v=18%); T-8: Wastewater irrigation scheduled as per farmers practice/recommended POP were laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Results indicated that significantly higher concentration of total NPK in leaf (3.10%) and flower (0.88%) were found in treatments of wastewater irrigations. Heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr) content in roots, shoots and foliar parts of marigold were observed higher in wastewater irrigated treatment plots. The content of Ni in Roots, Shoots and flower ranges from 4.95 to 7.79, 2.75 to 5.55 and 1.22 to 3.57 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Cd in Roots, Shoots and flower ranges from 1.83 to 3.67, 1.35 to 3.67 and 0.73 to 2.87 mg/kg, respectively. The content of Cr in Roots, Shoots and flower ranges from 9.45 to 10.76, 7.35 to 9.24 and 3.31 to 4.95 mg/kg, respectively. It is concluded from the study that total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents and heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb) in different parts of marigold were observed higher in concentration under wastewater irrigation as compared to groundwater irrigation.