Yield and Quality Impacts of Vegetables Irrigated by Rubber Plant Wastewater

Abstract

In this study, a series of pot experiments were conducted to investigate irrigation impacts on coriander biomass and quality using effluent from natural rubber processing plants treated at various stages with different levels of nutrients. The results showed that, irrigating with both the UASB anaerobic effluent and the aerobic effluent significantly increased the yield and nutrient contents of coriander. Among those, the efficiency of 50 %-diluted anaerobic effluent was better than compound fertilizer. Skim latex effluent without dilution should not be used to irrigate coriander whereas diluted skim latex effluent made the yield and nutrient contents of coriander increased significantly. The more diluted the skim latex effluent, the better growth the coriander. The 10 %-diluted skim latex effluent was similarly fertile as the 50 %-diluted aerobic effluent. Our study also suggested that: (1) untreated skim latex effluent could be used to irrigate crops and vegetables after being diluted to appropriate pH level. (2) Zero discharge of effluent from natural rubber processing plant would achievable if applying high-concentration skim latex effluent to irrigation and recycling low-concentration effluent.