Problems and prospectus of utilization of sewage and industrial wastewaters in agriculture

The basic objective of this study was to compile the available information on the composition of sewage and industrial wastewaters in India and their effect on soil–plant health upon their use in agricultural fields. The composition of sewage water is quite variable depending upon the contributing source, mode of collection, and treatment provided. The composition of sewage water varied from site to site which was in accordance with the type of industries present in that area. Continuous use of sewage and industrial wastewater irrigation recorded improvement in water retention, hydraulic conductivity, organic C and build-up of available N, P, K, micronutrient status, and soil microbial count. The electrical conductivity although increased due to sewage irrigation, it was within the tolerance limit to cause any soil salinity hazard. The toxic metals like Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni were found to be accumulated in soil and plant due to long-term use of sewage and industrial wastewater irrigation. The concentration of these metals was higher in leafy vegetables than in grain crops. This warrants the potential hazard to soil–plant health suggesting necessity of their safe use after pretreatment as a cheap potential alternative source of plant nutrients in agriculture.