JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

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Nowadays, due to drought and water shortage, use of unconventional waters, particularly sewage, has become usual in agriculture whereas they often contain heavy metals. The present study was employed to evaluate the effect of urban wastewater of Shahrekord on growth, yield and accumulation of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in balm (Melissa officinalis) as a medicinal plant with five treatments (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent wastewater) and three replications in a completely randomized experimental design. The results showed that the highest shoot length, stem diameter and stem number, number of leaves and tillers are achieved in the treatment of 100 percent. The wet and dry weight of shoots and roots was highest in 100 % of wastewater. Oil percentage of the leaves was also the highest amount (1.23 %) in 100 % of wastewater. Accumulation of lead in roots and aerial parts and its transmission factor was not significant for the treatments. However, the highest concentration of lead in root (0.057 mg/kg) and shoots (0.013 mg/kg) was observed in 100 % of wastewater and the lowest one was related to zero percent of wastewater treatment. The lead concentration was less than the critical limit for all the treatments. The amount of cadmium was undetectable in all the plant samples. The results of this study demonstrated that urban wastewater of Shahrekord, in addition to providing water, increases plant growth and essential oil.

Keywords: Wastewater, Irrigation, Balm, Growth, Essential oil, Lead and cadmium

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