Response of Eucalyptus camaldulensis to irrigation with the Hudiara drain effluent

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the industrial effluent of the Hudiara drain on the growth and element accumulation by Eucalyptus camaldulensis at early growth stage. Plants were irrigated for 18 months with effluent diluted with tap water at 0% (T0), 25% (T1), 50% (T2), 75% (T3), and 100% effluent (T4). Results showed that the maximum growth in terms of stem height (260 cm), number of branches (29), stem fresh weight (436.67 g), stem dry weight (203.33 g), total seedling length (344 cm), number of leaves (825), leaf fresh weight (195 g), and leaf dry weight (100 g) were recorded in plants treated with T2. However, maximum seedling collar diameter (2.25 cm), root fresh weight (230 g), and root dry weight (103.33 g) were observed in T3 treated plants. On the other hand, seedlings attained maximum root length (100.67 cm) at T1 treatment. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll increased up to T2, declining beyond that treatment. The accumulation of Na, Cd, and Cr in tissues increased with increasing concentrations of the effluent. However, the increase in effluent concentration decreased K and P in roots, and increased Fe in roots and stems, while T1 and T2 increased Mg in stems. The results suggest that mixing the wastewater of the Hudiara drain with tap water (50:50v/v) benefits the growth of E. camaldulensis.