Treated wastewater as an alternative irrigation source for maize production in semiarid regions

Abstract

Using treated wastewater as an alternative irrigation source for maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in semiarid regions is a key strategy for addressing water scarcity and promoting the sustainable reuse of wastewater resources. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of wastewater irrigation for maize production and assess the feasibility of a double-cropping system in the semiarid region of Sergipe, Brazil. Field experiments were conducted at Nossa Senhora das Dores-SE (first irrigated crop) and Nossa Senhora da Glória-SE (second rainfed crop). A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications comprised 17 maize genotypes. Plant height (PH), ear height (EH), and grain yield (GY) were evaluated. Significant differences in grain yield were observed between water regimes, with the highest yield (4336.00 kg/ha) recorded under wastewater irrigation. A significant genotype × environment interaction was also detected, indicating differential genotypic responses across water regimes. This interaction highlights the potential for selecting specific genotypes with enhanced adaptability to wastewater irrigation, optimizing productivity in water-limited environments. However, PH and EH did not differ significantly between environments. Using of treated wastewater for irrigation improved maize genotypic performance in terms of GY (increased grain yield by 2543.00 kg/ha compared to rainfed conditions) and enabled the establishment of two cropping cycles in the study region. These findings underscore the viability of wastewater irrigation as a sustainable strategy for semiarid agriculture, with implications for targeted genotype selection under specific water conditions.