Effect of using magnetized treated water in irrigation of bell pepper ...

22 downloads 0 Views 7KB Size Report
Agriculture sector is an essential element of national income and food security in. Palestine. The major source of irrigation in the West Bank is groundwater, ...
Effect of using magnetized treated water in irrigation of bell pepper and beans in Al Jiftlik, Palestine Dia Radaydeh *, Dia Karajeh+ , Nawaf Abu Khalaf ^, Amer Marei* *AQU , + USIAD, ^ PTU Corr. : [email protected] Agriculture sector is an essential element of national income and food security in Palestine. The major source of irrigation in the West Bank is groundwater, where the agriculture sector consumes about 65% of this water. The increase of ground water salinity is considered as the main impediment to this sector, and has negative impact on soil and reduce the yield. This study was carried out at AL-Jiftlik village under greenhouse conditions, where Bell Pepper and Beans were cultivated during 2012/2013. The objectives were to investigate the effect of using magnetized treated water on the crop yield (quantity and quality) and on soil salinity. The results showed that there is a significant salinity decrease in the upper soil horizon by using magnetized treated water and an increase in the yield of yellow and red Bell Pepper as well as in the yield of beans of 18.4, 20 and 9.27 %, respectively compared to controlled samples. An improvement in water productivity by 15% was recorded and also an increase in the fruit weight of 11%. The effect of using treated magnetized water caused also an increase of the shelf time by 7 days. The chlorophyll content of Bell Pepper leaves irrigated with treated magnetized water was 10 mg/g compared to 7.5 mg/g in control samples. Applying Visible/Near Infra Red (VIS/NIR)-spectroscopy test, and multivariate data analysis method, it is possible to distinguished between treated and controlled samples through grouping of elements such as Li, B, Na, Mn, Al, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Co, No, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mo, Cd, and Ba. In general, the results showed benefit effect of using magnetic water especially on soil salinity, fresh yield, root weight, shelf time, chemical constituents and nematode effect. While our findings are indicative, further testing is needed especially by involving other variables such as decreasing the volume of irrigated water, and fertilizers.