Research into utilization of monosodium glutamate industrial wastewater (MSGW) as a plant nutrient
source was undertaken. The physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of MSGW were analyzed
in detail. Effect of MSGW on early growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. cv. Pekinensis) and maize
(Zea mays L. cv. Bright Jean) was tested by the seed germination bioassay. Subsequently, in a greenhouse
pot experiment using the same plant species, effects of MSGW application rates on the plant biomass
yield, nitrogen content and soil properties were analyzed. The MSGW was characterized by high levels of
N (56.7 g l−1 ), organic C (344.6 g l−1 ), total solids (600 g l−1 ) and other minerals. At MSGW concentrations
below 1%, germination indices for both the plant species were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the
control. Further, the greenhouse study results indicated significant increase in the plant biomass yield
at MSGW application rates of 5000 and 7500 l ha−1 . As the MSGW dose increased, the biomass yield
decreased, decreasing the N-use efficiency. Maize showed significantly higher wastewater N-use efficiency
compared to the Chinese cabbage. Although the total culturable bacterial and fungal counts in the raw
MSGW were low, addition of MSGW to the soil increased the soil microbial activities and soil respiration.
Soil organic C was also increased by the addition of MSGW, due to the presence of significant amounts of
organic C in the wastewater. This preliminary study demonstrates that by proper management of the pH
and optimization of application rate, MSGW can be utilized as a nutrient source for plant growth. Further
long-term field studies to evaluate the environmental impact of MSGW usage in agriculture are being
designed to reduce the environmental risks associated with the reuse of this underutilized wastewater in
the agriculture