Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the growth of two species and one eucalyptus hybrid irrigated with different wastewaters. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized split-plot experimental design with three replications. The effluent included: Urban source, beef cattle slaughterhouse, poultry/swine slaughterhouse and soy processing/dairy plant from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In the subplot, the wastewater was diluted to the concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. In the subplot, two species (Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus urophylla) and a eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis) were tested. The following physiological attributes were evaluated: mortality, root area, leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, green matter mass and dry matter weight. The results showed that the water from the beef cattle slaughterhouse WWTP, at 50% concentration, impaired growth of genotypes and promoted higher mortality values. As the concentrations of the four wastewater types increased, there was a significant variation for all characteristics except for: leaf area, plant height and dry matter weight with the soy processing/dairy WWTP water. The tested waters might be used in seedling irrigation of the two Eucalyptus plant species and the hybrid.

Key words: Sewage sludge, water reuse, seedling production.