Application of fertigation using biotreated agro-industrial wastewater (with <i>Bacillus paramycoides</i> MT477810) on the growth of two vegetables <i>Capsicum annuum</i> (var. Astra) and <i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i> (var. Kristina)

ABSTRACT This research explored the use of the fertigation technique with treated agro-industrial wastewater to enhance the growth of Capsicum annuum (var. Astra) and Lycopersicon esculentum (var. Kristina). The wastewater, collected from Bajwa Agro Industries in Lahore, was biotreated using the bacterial strain Bacillus paramycoides MT477810, with a 10% inoculum incubated at 37 °C for 48 h. The bacterial strain achieved an 87% decolorization of the wastewater. Physicochemical analysis before and after biotreatment showed reductions in pH (60%), EC (22%), salinity (16%), turbidity (48%), COD (40%), BOD (73%), TDS (62%), and TSS (25%). The two vegetable varieties were fertigated with both biotreated and untreated wastewater to assess their effects on seed germination and plant growth. Results indicated a significant reduction in phytotoxicity (over 50%) in plants grown with biotreated wastewater. Additionally, plants irrigated with biotreated wastewater showed a 9–30% increase in fresh and dry weights compared to those irrigated with untreated wastewater. Nutritional analysis revealed that crops irrigated with treated wastewater had 12–48% higher nutrient content. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of biological wastewater treatment and fertigation in reducing pollutants and enhancing nutrient availability for vegetable crops.