The following study sought to determine the effects of irrigation with treated sewage water on celery (Apium graveolens) and radish (Raphanus sativus) plants, carried out in Mosul City, Iraq. Additionally, it measured the heavy metals, i.e., cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), and the percentage of chlorophylls a, b, and a + b and the wet and dry weight of plant parts. By irrigating with water treated by sedimentation, the average concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) in those plants reached the highest levels (0.18825, 0.10900, and 0.59775 mg/kg, respectively), as compared with the lowest average concentration of these heavy metals (0.05800, 0.02625, and 0.12450 mg/kg, respectively) irrigated with tap water (control). The maximum average concentration of chlorophyll a, b, and a + b (2.18000, 1.32183, and 1.47150 mg/g, respectively) occurred in celery and radish plants irrigated with untreated water. However, the minimum average concentration of chlorophyll a, b, and a + b (1.21800, 1.08900, and 1.30550 mg/g, respectively) resulted in those two plants being irrigated with tap water. The highest average fresh weight of celery and radish plants (3.03750 g/plant) emerged by irrigating them with water treated with sedimentation.
Celery (A. graveolens), radish (R. sativus), wastewater, heavy metals, physiological and growth traits
The sewage water treatment will develop a new water wealth that will benefit humans and living organisms and create a safe environment, eventually improving the agriculture sector in the long term.