Physico-chemical analysis of Sugar mill Effluent and their Impact on Changes of Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The physico-chemical characteristics of the content in the effluents from sugar mill of Haridwar district have been explored and its impact on the germination and growth patterns of wheat and maize has been studied. Physico-chemical characteristics included color, odour, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, BOD,COD, TSS, TDS, K, P, Na, Ammonia and Chloride concentration. The seeds of Wheat and Maize were incubated with concentration of effluent dilution ranging from control, 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. It was found that concentration of 25% and 50% has stimulatory effects on germination rate and further increase in concentration (beyond 50%) showed inhibitory effects on germination percentage and initial growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Maize (Zea mays L.).