Effects of irrigation with wastewater on the physiological properties and heavy metal content in Lepidium sativum L. and Eruca sativa (Mill.).

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological properties of and heavy metal content in Lepidium sativum L. and Eruca sativa (Mill.) irrigated with municipal wastewater for 20 days. Wastewater was taken from a section where all wastewater of Adiyaman is collected. We analysed the soil for physicochemical properties, heavy metals and nutrient content and the plants for photosynthetic pigment content, dry weight and length. Irrigation wastewater increased the electrical conductivity and organic matter content in plant soil. In both plant soils, Cd and Ni content significantly increased with respect to control. Dry matter content decreased significantly in the edible parts, and the length of the edible parts increased significantly in E. sativa. Photosynthetic pigment content increased in L. sativum and decreased in E. sativa. Nutrient content changed significantly in both plants. In the edible parts of L. sativum, Cd and Ni content increased significantly compared to Pb and Cr. The edible parts of E. sativa also showed a higher Cd level than the control plant. The enrichment factor of the heavy metals in the edible parts of L. sativum followed this order: Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cr and of E. sativa: Pb > Cd > Cu > Cr > Ni. The edible parts of both plants showed a high transfer factor (TF > 1) for Cd, which points to high mobility of Cd from soil to plant. In conclusion, the use of wastewater for irrigation increased heavy metal content in both plants and affected their physiological and morphological properties.