Impact of Marble Slurry Effluent on Germination of Seed Growth of Crops (Gram-RSG 888, Barley-RD 2035)

The paper describes the effect of marble dust on seed germination in Jaipur, Dist Rajasthan. The study focus on impact of different concentrations of marble slurry effluent on seed germination (%), germination plumule and radicle length, fresh and dry weight of plumule and radical of crops cercium-79, Gram-RSG888 and Barley-RD 2035 was investigated. The germination percentage of seed and seedling growth showed a gradual decline with increase in effluent concentration. The marble slurry effluent did not show any inhibitory effect on seed germination at low concentration. Seeds germinated in higher concentration effluent but survive for longer period. KEY WORD: Germination, Slurry Effluent, Marble Dust, Plumule and Radical Received 26.09.2015 Revised 09.10.2015 Accepted 20.11.2015 INTRODUCTION Rajasthan being a rocky state, is rich in diverse minerals, particularly dolomite CaMg (CO3)2), marble (CaCO3), and granite (a mixture of micronutrient minerals) [2]. As in common practice, manufacturers dump this waste material over the nearby wasteland areas. The heaps of this waste material acquire large land areas and remain scattered all around, spoiling the aesthetics of the entire region and have affected tourism and industrial potential of the state [1]. Although minerals and heavy metals are naturally present in the soil, geologic and anthropogenic activities increase the concentration of these elements to amounts that are harmful to plants. Some of these activities include mining smelting of metals, processing of minerals also. Since different crop species may have different tolerance to various pollutants. Seed germination and plant growth bioassays are the most common techniques used to evaluate phytotoxicity [3]. The physical and chemical characteristics of a range of mining dust types are explained and its effects on photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. Plants growing on this atmosphere show a reduction in growth performance and yield. Visible injury symptoms and decreased in productivity on vegetation is well noticed. Most of the plant community structure is altered [4]. A large number of mines and mining industrial process can produce particulate emission [5]. This paper briefly explains the effects of marble slurry pollution on seed germination. MATERIALS AND METHOD A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of marble industry effluent on seed germination: root length, shoot length and total dry weight of crops Gram-RSG888, Barley-RD 2035 and pulse from Durgapura, Jaipur. The experiment was conducted in triplicate form for each treatment and tape water was used as control (T0). Effluents were diluted with tap water at concentration of 20% (T1), 40% (T2), 60% (T3), 80% (T4) and also used 100% (T5) were grown for 7 days. Experimental setup was the same as described by respective effluent concentration were provided and incubated for three days at 26±20Cfor germination. Daily observations were made for seed germinated seeds. After seven days, seedling was harvested: root length, shoot length and total dry weight were recorded. For dry weights seeds were incubated at 600C for 24hrs. Experimental setup was the same as described by Nawaz et. al., [6]. Data was subjected to statistical analysis.