Investigation of sorghum yield qualitative changes under using unconventional waters and soil natural modifier

In order to investigate the qualitative changes in forage products using unconventional waters and zeolites, a split plot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Gharakhil Agricultural Research Station in Ghaemshahr. In this experiment, the main treatment was irrigation water quality (well water as control (W1) ; 75% well water and 25% seawater (W2); 25% well water and 75% seawater (W3); 100% urban treated wastewater in alternative with 100% seawater (W4); 50% seawater and 50% urban treated wastewater (W5); irrigation with urban treated wastewater (W6)) and sub-treatment including three levels of zeolite as soil modifier (without zeolite Z1, zeolite calcium Z2 and zeolite potasic Z3). The results of data analysis showed that the effect of irrigation water quality treatments and zeolite levels on forage yield had a significant effect at a probability level of 5%. Salinity reduced forage yield but no significant difference was observed between W5 and W4 treatments. The amount of fresh forage yield in treated wastewater with zeolite calcium was 129 t.ha-1, which was more than the rest of the treatments. The protein content of sorghum was decrease with increasing the amount of salinity, but carbohydrate increased. The highest leaf protein content was observed in W6Z2 treatment at 14.83%. The highest carbohydrate content was seen in W3Z3 treatment at 9.75 mg.g-1. The highest rate of adsorption of cadmium and chromium was in W3 treatment, which was higher in root of plant than leaves and stems, and in zeolite-containing treatments, this amount was lower in leaves and stem.