EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT ON SEED GERMINATION, GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLL, CARBOHYDRATES AND PROTEIN CONTENTS OF KIDNEY BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Abstract

The effect of industrial effluent on the seed germination, seedling growth, stem length, leaf length, biomass, chlorophyll content and proximate analysis of kidney beans was investigated to determine the extent by which the effluent affects the growth parameters and performance of kidney beans. The experiment was carried out with 0%(control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% concentrations, each effluent concentration was mixed with 5kg of soil in a plastic pot and each treatment was carried out in three replicates. Germination of seeds begins 5 th day after planting in control and treated seeds. Germination increased in 25% concentration and thrived better in 50% concentration than the control whereas there was a decrease in the growth of the plant as the effluent concentration increased to 75% and there was no germination in 100% concentration which was significantly different (p<0.05) from that of control, 25%, 50% and 75% concentration. This study demonstrated that the lower concentration of the industrial effluent caused a positive impact on seed germination, growth, chlorophyll content and on the proximate analysis of Phaseolus vulgaris L. However, at higher concentration of the effluent, the rate of germination decreased. This shows that high concentration of pollutant can adversely affect the growth and productivity of crops