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Effects of Treated Greywater Irrigation on Soil Fertility Properties in Akure, Nigeria: A Three-Season Field Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The quality of water used for irrigation significantly influences soil fertility and crop productivity. This study investigated the effects of treated greywater irrigation on soil physicochemical properties across three dry seasons in Akure, Nigeria. Untreated greywater sourced from a dormitory at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) was treated in a constructed wetland planted with common reed (Phragmites australis). The treated greywater (TG) was assessed for conformity with irrigation standards. A drip irrigation system was employed across a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments (raw greywater, treated greywater, and freshwater) and three replicates per season over 2016, 2017, and 2018 dry seasons. Soil samples were collected and analysed for pH, total organic matter (TOM), total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Water and soil data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at 5% significance level. Treated greywater irrigation improved selected soil fertility indicators, including pH, TOM, and macronutrients. At the 5% probability level, ANOVA revealed significant relationships between soil pH, TOM, TN, P and K and the irrigation water's temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, fecal coliform, chloride, nitrate, and magnesium contents. Future research on the effects of this irrigation water composition on crop quality is necessary, as this study is crucial for farmers working with depleted soil to restore its fertility condition. The findings confirm that treated greywater is a viable irrigation source capable of improving soil macronutrient status when properly managed.

Source: Journal of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences

Authors: ALAO, Femi, OLORUNTADE, Ajayi Johnson, OLANIPEKUN, Adewoye Alade, OKE, Afolabi Matthew, OLOFINTOYE, Oluwatosin Onaopemipo, IDUSUYI, Daniel Uwumarogie, BAYODE, Opeyemi

Institutions: University of Benin, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Bells University of Technology, University of Ilorin

Language: English

Topic: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Zero hunger

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Federal University of Technology Akure

OpenAlex ID: W7225600643

FWCI:

Cites: 22

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Related to: 10