Corncob Filtered Gray Water ImprovesSpinach Growth by ModulatingAntioxidant Defense Enzymes

Increasing water demand and the use of treated gray water as an alternate source for irrigation are gaining global importance.This study evaluated the treatment of gray water using a natural adsorbent corn cob filter and investigated the effects of treated gray water on the growth of two spinach varieties (Sindhi and Prikli).The current study showed a significant reduction in morpho-physiological and antioxidant attributes in both spinach varieties when subjected to untreated gray water.However, treated gray water significantly improved the plant root/shoot ratio, water and chlorophyll contents, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), plant soluble sugar contents, and reduced concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) contents.Pol. J. Environ.Stud.Vol.XX, No. X (XXXX),[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Moreover, both spinach varieties significantly varied in response to gray water treatment.The Sindhi variety showed comparatively better growth and physio-biochemical attributes than the spinach variety Prikli.It can be concluded that treated gray water may be considered as an alternative for irrigation of horticultural crops.