| Abstract: | The potential of agrobased paper mill effluent (PME) as ferti-irrigant was assessed. Ferti-irrigation responses to 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of PME doses on Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Annapurna, in the rainy and summer seasons were investigated. The fertigant concentrations produced changes in electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), phosphate (PO43–), sulfate (SO42–), iron (Fe2+), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) of the soil in both seasons. The agronomic performances of P. vulgaris increased from 5 to 25% in both seasons compared to controls. The accumulation of metals increased in soil and P. vulgaris from 5 to 100% PME concentrations in both seasons. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals was in order of Cr > Mn > Cu > Cd > Zn for soil and Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd > Cr for P. vulgaris in both seasons after fertigation with PME. Therefore, PME can be used to improve the soil fertility and yield of P. vulgaris after appropriate dilution. |
