Impacts of Sugar mill's Effluent on soil and Plant's Seed Germination, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the physico-chemical analysis of sugar mill effluent and its impact on soil and seed germination of okra and tomato plants. Total 12 samples of sugar mill effluents were collected from differ- ent points. Similarly, 12 soil samples were collected from the fields irrigated with sugar mills effluents in radius of 500 meters and at a depth of 8 inches. All the analysis for both the effluents and soil were performed according to the Standard Methods. Mean values of the selected parameters in the effluents were of pH 6.67, total suspended solids (366 mg/L), total dissolved solids (5248 mg/L), biological oxygen demand (475 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (2662 mg/L), electrical conductivity (3865 μS/m), temperature (55 °C), turbidity (118 NTU), dissolved oxygen (1.8 mg/L), sodium (163 mg/L), calcium (160 mg/L), magnesium (63 mg/L), chlorine (535 mg/L) and bicarbonates (332 mg/L). With respect to heavy metals the value differ iron (1.45 mg/L), zinc (1.51 mg/L), lead (0.18 mg/L), cadmium (0.21 mg/L), copper (0.52 mg/L) and chromium (0.17 mg/L). Most of the parameters mean values were greater than the WHO permissible limits. The results of soil samples analysis indicated that mean values of all the parameters were in permissible limits. Seeds of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) showed maximum germination (95% and 90% respectively) at control condition. While at 10% concentration, seed germinat- ed 95% and 90% respectively. At 25% concentration okra showed 90% seed germination concentration while 70% tomato seeds germinated. Okra plant is more vassal as compare to tomato with respect to effluent concentration. Sug- ar mill effluents are good for vegetation if diluted before irrigation. Crops and soil fertility could be increased by ap- plying environment friendly techniques during effluent discharge.