Petridish experiment was conducted to study the effect of different concentrations of distillery effluent on pulses. The higher concentration of the different elements (already present in effluent), Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand affected the seed germination, seedling growth and ultimately plant growth and yield. The petridish experiment, using effluent of one of the distillery of Lucknow region, on seed germination and seedling growth in pea and black gram revealed that potassium content of distillery effluent adversely affected seed germination, seedling growth (radicle and plumule size), number of lateral roots, total chlorophyll, total amylase, fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content and water absorption. Therefore, the higher concentration of effluent was found to be toxic, but can be used for irrigation purpose after proper treatment and dilution.
Distillery effluent, Toxicity, Potassium, Seed germination, Pulses
