Running head: THE ULTIMATE TEST OF IRRIGATION 1

The Quality of Irrigation Water and its Effects on Plant Growth

Christopher I. Clemente

Miguel Contreras Learning Complex

Los Angeles School of Global Studies

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Abstract

The purpose of the experiment was to identify whether each individual water: vending machine

water, LASGS tap water, lASGS fountain water, LASGS irrigation water and CSUN irrigation

water can be labeled safe or unsafe, in terms of watering plants, when the Phosphate Test Tab is

applied. Each table was assigned each of the three different types of water that was tested. The

groups obtained the results and sharing out with other group members and observe the outcome.

The Nitrate Test Tab was determined to identify drinking water as safe or unsafe to drink for the

human health. The materials used in the experiment was LASGS tap water, LASGS fountain

water, LASGS irrigation, vending machine water, Phosphate Test Tab(5422A) and Nitrate WR

Test TAb. The equipment used was eyedropper, color chart, and test tube for both of the

experiments. First step was to fill up the LASGS irrigation water in the test tube up to 5 mL. The

Phosphate Test Tab was implemented to the water and was shaken thoroughly for 2-3 minutes

until the capsule was effectively dissolved with the water. After 5 minutes of the water and

chemical successfully react, the color chart was used to determine the ppm level of phosphate in

the water. The LASGS irrigation water ppm level was 3 ppm. The estimated ppm level that

determined whether the water is unsafe or not in the chart is 0.03 ppm. Anything higher than this

is labeled as safe. The results was shared within the groups to complete the data table. LASGS

tap water obtained the level of 1 ppm, LASGS irrigation water 3 ppm and CSUN irrigation water

0 ppm. The LASGA irrigation water inevitably displayed the safeness for plant growth. However

this boosts up the algae growth in water. This results for the oxygen in the water to be “sucked

out” from the fishes, causing them to die due to lack of air in the water. This can also make a
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pond turn into a swamp. Nitrate ppm level for the vending machine was 2 ppm. This is

considered to be safe since water with below 4 ppm is considered to be unpolluted. LASGS tap

water and LASGS fountain was considered to be unsafe, passing the average ppm level 4.

Avoiding tap water and fountain water would be the best option when it comes to drinking water

with high Nitrate ppm level. In conclusion, CSUN irrigation water resulted at 0 ppm, therefore

it is considered as unsafe for plant growth. LASGS tap water and irrigation water was

successfully safe however too much of a phosphate ppm level in water can severely make a

drastic change for the environment. Vending machine water resulted at 2 ppm level making it

safe to drink. While LASGS tap water and LASGS fountain water aren’t considered safe.

Key Words: ppm,(parts per million), Irrigation water, Phosphate Test Tab, Nitrate WR Test TAb,

unpolluted, algae growth

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Introduction

Water as a natural resource is significant to today’s modern society. Human lifes, animals

and even plants need water to be able to sustain their life existence. Water is known to be a

universal solvent due to how many solutions can be conducted with polar molecules, dissolving

in water to form ions. Substances such as Calcium, Salt, Copper, Iron, and some ions can be

identified as solutes, since water is the solvent. The quality of irrigation water has to be strictly

safe since its agriculturally used in planting on soil and crops. FAO suggests, “​The objective of

this paper is to help the reader to a better understanding of the effect of water quality upon soil

and crops and to assist in selecting suitable alternatives to cope with potential water quality

related problems that might reduce production under prevailing conditions of use”(2018).

Irrigation water is defined by the amount of solutes that are implemented in the water. Every

usage of irrigation water must be intentionally used since only rarely, in irrigation water, are any

other factors considered important such as its physical and chemical properties. A number of test

has to be conducted since irrigation water is very essential for today's plant growth industries.

Dewayne L. Ingram states, “Water quality can have a huge impact on plant growth, especially in

soilless plant production systems. Water is certainly one of the most critical inputs in nursery and

greenhouse crop production” (2014).

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Methods, Materials, Equipment

The test tube needed to be filled with CSUN Irrigation water up to 5 mL. Phosphate Test

Tab(5422A) was added to the test tube. Capping the test tube and shaking the it thoroughly for

2-3 minutes. Afterwards, for about 5 minutes was needed to display the blue color accurately.

Comparing the Phosphate Color Chart with the color sample to identify the results. The test tube

needed to be filled with water at 5 mL. Nitrate WR Test Tab was added to the test tube. Capping

the top of the tube in order for the tablets to dissolve for about 2-3 minutes. 5 minutes was

needed to have the color change for the final solution. The experiments materials used was the

Phosphate Test Tab to identify the ppm level of phosphate in the CSUN irrigation water. Nitrate

WR Test Tab to identify the ppm level of LASGS vending machine, to be considered safe to

drink. The equipment used was the Phosphate Color Chart to accurately identify the color of the

sample for its ppm level that correlates to the chart. The test tube was used to sustain the solution

to inspect the color change. The stopper was also used to prevent the mixture from spilling on the

given area. Lastly the eyedropper was used to fill up the test tube to 5 mL.

Results

If the ppm level of phosphate is higher than 0.3 ppm it can contribute to mass growth of

plants. Phosphate in CSUN irrigation water resulted being 0 ppm. The rest of the type of water ,

LASGS tap water and LASGS irrigation water, resulted to be safe. LASGS tap water having the

level of 1 ppm and LASGS irrigation water with 3 ppm. Unpolluted water usually has nitrate

level below 4 ppm. Nitrate with over 40 ppm are considered unsafe to drinking water. When

Nitrate WR Test Tube was added to the LASGS vending machine water the data resulted at 2
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ppm level. It is considered safe for humans to drink rather than LASGS tap water and LASGS

fountain water. LAGS tap water obtained the level of 5 ppm making it unsafe and LASGS

resulted at also 5 ppm making both water types unsafe to drink. The meaning of ppm is the ratio

of a amount of substance with another amount of substance. Being the unit of solutes dissolved

in one million units of solution. The acronym of “ppm” stands for parts per million. ​This also

can be expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Reasoning

Phosphate is found usually in natural water and is necessary element for plants and animals.

Phosphate acts as a fertilizer for aquatic plants. Low amount of phosphate can lead to lack of

oxygen in the water for aquatic animals to “breathe”. In hindsight, if the the phosphate ppm is

greater than its average level, it can lead to severe algae growth which aquatic plants will

consume all the phosphate in the water. CSUN irrigation water resulted to be unsafe for aquatic

animals and not enough to contribute to the growth of plants. Nitrogen is essential for all living

things as it is a component of protein. Nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can be hazardous to

human health, especially for infants and pregnant women. Monitoring nitrate in drinking water is

crucial due to high level nitrate can be harmful to babies under six months old. Making each

baby not being able to breathe and ultimately suffocate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, phosphate and nitrate-nitrogen should be effectively monitored for the safety of

human health. There can be multiple of side symptoms that can horribly cause health disorders,

not just on humans but also towards aquatic animals and plants. Modern day industries have to
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enable themselves to be more precautious of aspects that involves the different outcomes of

irrigation water. Having cautious of all possible consequences, affecting all living organism, that

can be prevented.

References

Park, D.M. (2014). Interpreting Irrigation Water Quality Reports. Clemson Cooperative

Extension. Retrieved on June 5, 2018 :

https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/ag-srvc-lab/irrigation-water/water-interpretation.pdf

Swistock, B. (2014). Interpreting Irrigation Water Tests. PennState Extension. Retrieved on June

5, 2018:​ https://extension.psu.edu/interpreting-irrigation-water-tests
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