Physico-chemical analysis of sugar factory effluent stress on seedling growth of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) varieties

The physico-chemical parameters of the content in the effluents from Rajasree sugar factory of Villupuram district have been explored and its impact on the germination and growth patterns of black gram varieties has been studied. Physico-chemical parameters included color, odour, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, dissolved solids, BOD, COD, chloride, sulphate, calcium, oil and grease concentration. Germination studies was conducted with black gram seed varieties (ADT-3, ADT-5, Vamban-3, Vamban-5 and Co-6) treated with different concentrations (control, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % ) of sugar mill effluent. Germination studies parameters such as germination percentage, germination index, shoot length, root length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings were found to be increased up to 10 % concentration of effluent. Vigour index, tolerance index, percentage of phytotoxicity and germination index were also calculated. The above mentioned parameters were decreased with the increase of effluent concentrations (25-100 %).