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Domestic Reclaimed Water for Circular Agriculture: Improving Agronomic Performance of Sweet Sorghum in a Semiarid Tropical Climate

Author

Listed:
  • Breno Leonan de Carvalho Lima

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52.171-900, PE, Brazil)

  • Jucilene Silva Araújo

    (Plant Production Center, National Institute of the Semiarid Region, Campina Grande 58.434-700, PB, Brazil)

  • José Thyago Aires Souza

    (Plant Production Center, National Institute of the Semiarid Region, Campina Grande 58.434-700, PB, Brazil)

  • Elder Cunha de Lira

    (Plant Production Center, National Institute of the Semiarid Region, Campina Grande 58.434-700, PB, Brazil)

  • Jose Nildo Tabosa

    (Supervision of Grains, Cereals, Beans, Roots and Tubers, Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, Recife 50.761-000, PE, Brazil)

  • Eurico Lustosa do Nascimento Alencar

    (Irrigated Agriculture Station of Parnamirim, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Parnamirim 56163-000, PE, Brazil)

  • Jose Edson Florentino de Moraes

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52.171-900, PE, Brazil)

  • Ceres Duarte Guedes Cabral de Almeida

    (Dom Agostinho Ikas Agricultural School, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, São Lourenço da Mata 54.735-000, PB, Brazil)

  • Alexsandro Oliveira da Silva

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60.455-760, CE, Brazil)

  • Mario Monteiro Rolim

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52.171-900, PE, Brazil)

  • Abelardo Antônio de Assunção Montenegro

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52.171-900, PE, Brazil)

  • Thieres George Freire da Silva

    (Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Serra Talhada 56.909-535, PE, Brazil)

  • Ênio Farias de França e Silva

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife 52.171-900, PE, Brazil)

Abstract

Water scarcity in semiarid regions represents a critical challenge for sustainable agriculture, reducing the availability of forage and affecting livestock systems. The reuse of treated wastewater offers an environmentally friendly alternative to meet water and nutrient needs, supporting the principles of the circular economy. Sweet sorghum, with its remarkable tolerance to abiotic stress, represents a resilient crop option. Evaluating its agronomic and industrial responses to different depths of irrigation using reclaimed water is essential for improving resource-efficient agricultural practices in water-limited environments. This study evaluated the effects of different irrigation regimes with treated wastewater on the growth, productivity, and water use efficiency of sweet sorghum grown in a semiarid region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, with five irrigation regimes ranging from 50% to 150% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and four replications. Irrigation was carried out with treated wastewater using a drip irrigation system. Growth parameters, fresh biomass, water use efficiency, and soluble solids content (°Brix) were analyzed in two consecutive harvests (main and ratoon crop). Deficit irrigation regimes (50% and 75% of ETc) resulted in higher water use efficiency and higher °Brix, whereas regimes above 100% of ETc reduced water use efficiency and biomass productivity. The ratoon crop showed greater sensitivity to water management, with significant productivity responses under irrigation around 100% of ETc. The first harvest was more productive in terms of fresh biomass and plant growth. Reclaimed water is a sustainable and efficient strategy for cultivating sweet sorghum in semiarid regions. Deficit irrigation regimes can be technically viable for maximizing water use efficiency and production quality, while proper irrigation management is crucial to avoiding losses associated with excessive water application.

Suggested Citation

  • Breno Leonan de Carvalho Lima & Jucilene Silva Araújo & José Thyago Aires Souza & Elder Cunha de Lira & Jose Nildo Tabosa & Eurico Lustosa do Nascimento Alencar & Jose Edson Florentino de Moraes & Cer, 2025. "Domestic Reclaimed Water for Circular Agriculture: Improving Agronomic Performance of Sweet Sorghum in a Semiarid Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:5765-:d:1685342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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