Effect of Untreated Distillery Effluents on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Chili (Capsicum annuum cv.shanti 389)

Distillery is one of the highest effluents generating industry in the world. The pollution effect of distillery waste is due to its high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) value. Distillery effluent contains a large amount of dissolved organic matter which is readily decomposed by the biological action. Various studies have been conducted for its effects on different vegetations and the crops worldwide. The present study that is conducted on Chili plant showsno growth at 40% and above concentration of untreated distillery effluent. Its results indicate that on a lower concentration of untreated distillery effluent, the root and shoot length as well as other parameters are slightly promoted, as compared to the control and at 40% concentration of effluent. But there is no growth due to the toxic effect of untreated distillery effluent. This inhibitory effect of untreated distillery effluent was more severe due to the rich contents of metallic ions and other organic and inorganic pollutants, very high degree of BOD, very low pH (3.4–5.1) and high concentration of dissolved salts.