Influence of Fertilizer industry wastewater on the germination behavior of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains
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Date
2012
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Publisher
Central University of Punjab
Abstract
Industries generate enormous amount of wastewater. Increased water crisis problems, coupled with stringent regulatory standards for wastewater disposal has necessitated the need for better wastewater treatment options. Most developing countries do not have sufficient funds to invest on technologies for treating wastewater. As agriculture demands more water, use of wastewater for irrigation would be the best option for treatment of wastewater. Using wastewater for irrigation purposes would solve the problem of water scarcity as well. In the present study, the effect of fertilizer industry wastewater on germination behaviour of Hordeum vulgare (PL-426) grains was examined. The wastewater was collected from National Fertilizer Limited, Bathinda, Punjab. The wastewater was acidic in nature and contained around 37.5% of total dissolved solids and 9.2% of total suspended solids. BOD and COD were more than that of permissible limits. The germination study was carried for a period of 6 days. For the germination study, the wastewater composition used were 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% wastewater concentrations diluted proportionately with distilled and designated as E0-E4, respectively. The growth of the grain was evaluated based on morphological and biochemical parameters. The effects were studied by comparing the growth at different wastewater concentration with that of control. Germination percentage, germination index, germination vigor index, root and shoot length, relative elongation ratio of shoot and root, fresh and dry weight,
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chlorophyll a and b, proteins and antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity of grains showed significant decrease with increase in wastewater concentration beyond 50% indicating the inhibition of germination with increase in wastewater concentration. Parameters such as dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, superoxide dismutase and proteins showed higher value at 100% wastewater than control. The results concluded that the fertilizer industry wastewater can be used effectively for the cultivation of Hordeum vulgare and the maximum growth could be achieved only at 50% dilution.
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Keywords
Fertilizer industry wastewater, Seed Germination, Water Crisis,, Barley Grains,, Wastewater Treatment,, Hordeum Vulgare
Citation
Kaur, Jaskiran (2012) Influence of Fertilizer industry wastewater on the germination behavior of barley (Hordeum vulgare) grains.