Evaluation of the physicochemical quality of water used for irrigation in urban and periurban farms of Meknes city Morocco

Abstract EN

This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical parameters of irrigation water quality used in urban and periurban farms in Meknes (Morocco).

The results showed that in all sampling sites, the mean temperature values ranged from 22°C to 24°C, and mean pH values varied between 7.4 and 7.7, and electrical conductivity ranged from 1392.25 μs/cm to 1823.5 μs/cm; these three parameters are within FAO's guidelines for irrigation.

As for the parameters such as biological oxygen demand (BOD5), mean values varied between 86.25 mg/L and 273.25 mg/L.

Mean dissolved oxygen (DO) values ranged from 2.95 mg/L to 6.02 mg/L.

Orthophosphate concentrations ranged from 13.28 mg/L to 33.17 mg/L.

Mean ammonium value varied from 61.3 mg/L to 70mg/L.

These parameters do not meet the FAO's irrigation guidelines.

Therefore, the water used for irrigation on urban and periurban farms in the city of Meknes is poor quality and requires adequate treatment.