Plant, Algae, and Environment

Plant, Algae, and Environment

Effects of Household Detergent Concentrations on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Razi university
Abstract
Household wastewater contains detergents that may adversely affect rivers and soil in large quantities. One of the compounds found in household wastewater is household detergents. This study aimed to determine the germination characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds under the influence of different concentrations of water contaminated with household detergent. A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of water contaminated with household detergent on the germination characteristics of alfalfa and cumin seeds, in a completely randomized design with three replications and six treatments. This concentrations including, zero, 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 20 g/l of household detergent in water. Results showed that the difference between the highest and lowest concentrations of detergent in terms of seed germination was 90% in alfalfa and 30% in cumin. The highest seedling length (7.2 cm) and seed vigor (6.9 %cm) in alfalfa were obtained from the 0.02 g/l household detergent treatment. The highest seed germination percentage (56%), seedling length (3.4 cm), and seed vigor (2.05% cm) of cumin were obtained from the 0.2 g/l household detergent concentration. The results showed a 50% increase in germination, 3,300% increase in seedling length and 20,400% increase in seedling vigor compared to the 20 g/L household detergent concentration. Therefore, according to the results of this study, for cumin, irrigation water contaminated with household detergent up to 0.2 g/L can be used, and for alfalfa, up to 0.02 g/L. Higher concentrations are not recommended due to severe loss of seed vigor.
Keywords

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