Evaluation of Soil Properties and Production of Cucumis sativus Irrigated with Treated Wastewater in Gaza Strip

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on soil properties and production of cucumber. The field experiment was set up in the North zone of the Gaza Strip in the season period from April to July 2015. The Cucumber was planted in a design of one block with randomised treatments plots scattered within. The experiment comprised six treatments: four treatments were above surface drip irrigated; two treatments irrigated with potable water (PW) and two treatments irrigated with TWW, with and without plastic ground cover. The remaining two treatments were sub-surface drip irrigated with TWW, also with and without the cover at a depth of 20 cm below ground. Each treatment was replicated in 5 plots. Samples of PW, TWW and soil were analysed. The weight of harvested cucumber and the plant biomass were determined, SPSS analysed data. Both biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of TWW were higher than the acceptable World Health Organization (WHO) limit.The pH, total alkalinity, phosphorus and potassium levels were significantly increased in TWW compared to PW. Conversely, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS), nitrate, sulfur, chloride, sodium, calcium, magnesium and total hardness were significantly decreased in TWW. However, EC and TDS of both PW and TWW were higher than the WHO permissible limit. Heavy metals were below the detected limit. Total and faecal coliforms in TWW exceeds that of the WHO standards. Irrigation with PW and TWW increased soil EC, TDS, nitrate, sulfur, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, particularly with TWW. The weight of harvested cucumber and the plant biomass were higher in plots irrigated with TWW than those irrigated with PW. In conclusion, TWW is a promising candidate to substitute PW irrigation for crops in Gaza Strip in having to low a level of heavy metals and proven to enhance soil fertility and cucumber productivity.