ABSTRACT
The relevance of using technology for the rational destination of waste from a wide range of human activities is imminently paramount. In this context, between September 2014 and January 2015, in Mossoró, RN, Brazil (5º 11' 31" S; 37º 20' 40" W), the present work was conducted to evaluate strategies for the utilization of landfill leachate as source of water and nutrients in agriculture. For this, castor bean plants (Ricinus communis L.), cv. BRS Energia, cultivated in eutrophic Red Yellow Argisol, were subjected to irrigation depth application strategies, namely: initial application of leachate corresponding to 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the irrigation depth and subsequent application of the remaining water depth percentage using public-supply water, plus one control, which consisted of irrigation with public-supply water + mineral fertilization recommended for the crop. These treatments were set in randomized blocks, with four replicates, totalizing twenty experimental plots. Mineral fertilization resulted in more expressive biometric responses at the beginning of the cycle; however, at the end, treatments based on leachate led to results, including of production, compatible with the control, especially plants irrigated with the 20% irrigation depth.
Key words:
waste disposal; irrigation; oilseed crops