Evaluation of Phytotoxicity effect of palm oilmill effluent and cassava mill effluent on tomato( lycopersicum esculentum) after pretreatmentoptions

Abstract

Agro industrial effluents' management such as Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and Cassava Mill Effluent (CME) have been a major environmental concern in countries producing them. These effluents are land and aquatic pollutants when discharged untreated, due to presence of high organic load and their phytotoxic properties. Pretreatment measures comprised of phase separation involving sedimentation, aeration to enhance biodegradation and pH neutralization. A randomized complete block design experiment in factorial arrangement was set up to assess effects of aeration, settling and pH neutralization on POME and CME phytotoxicity on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) germination and seedling development. Results obtained showed that aeration was the most significantly effective pretreatment technique for POME and CME. Phytotoxicity decreased when effluents were left to aerobically decompose for 6 days. pH neutralization increased phytotoxcity in the two effluent streams. Settling did not significantly reduce phytotoxicity in CME but did in POME. The 3-way Interaction was not significant in all the parameters measured. Management plans for these effluent streams should consist of well designed pond system, metal tanks equipped with blowers for proper decomposition before disposal.