Impact of Using Treated Wastewater on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crop

Purpose: Water is an important natural resource in Palestine; needs appropriate practices by various departments. Treated wastewater (TWW) is very important as an additional water source for irrigation. The objectives of this research were to detect the impact of using TWW on Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crop characteristics, productivity, and economic feasibility at different seasons.
Research Method: The Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) crop was seeded in the field, and TWW was used as an irrigation source from Anzah Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The water and crop samples were taken during October, 2021 end of September, 2022 to perform the necessary analyses.
Findings and Values: The researcher found that the use of TWW improves the productivity, quality, and profit of the crop. The profit per hectare when using TWW is more than three times the profit when using freshwater (FW). The findings confirm that TWW is safe to use for irrigation of fodder crops. The research recommended to encouraging the reuse of TWW in the agricultural system after the full treatment for fodder crops and crops, consumed freshly.