Growth and Chemical Composition of Beta Vulgaris Var. Dcla, Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata and Lactuca Sativa Treated With Industrial and Municipal Wastes.
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Date
1998-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of industrial and municipal liquid wastes
on the growth (leaf number, leaf length, and leaf width), biomass productivity and plant tissue
composition of three different vegetable species. Furthermore, the study attempted to detect the
toxicity symptoms and concentration of some of the heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn)
on the vegetables as a result of the treatment.
Three different vegetable species Beta vulgaris var. cic/a (swiss chard), Lactllca sativa
(lettuce) and Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) were allowed to grow under three
different treatments, i.e., tap water(control), industrial and municipal liquid wastes
(experimental). Fluvial soil, which was free from industrial and municipal liquid wastes was
sample, for experiment. Industrial and municipal liquid wastes were brought from Akaki textile
factory and Bulbulla river respectively.
The experiment was conducted under glasshouse condition. The growth parameters of the
vegetable species were recorded at every seven days interval. Plant material analysis has been
administered at two stages, after the 6th week and during harvest. The descriptive statistics, and
analysis of variance were applied to analyze the effect of the treatments on the vegetable
species. The physical and chemical properties and concentrations of heavy metals in the soil
samples were determined using laboratory analysis. The concentrations of heavy metals were
analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS).
The result showed that vegetables treated with municipal liquid waste exhibited a relative better
growth in leaf number, leaf length, leaf width and shoot biomass productivity than the other
two treatments. Similarly, the distribution of total organic carbon, organic matter, total
nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases, soil pH and CEC were observed to be
significantly high in the soil samples treated with the municipal liquid waste than tap water and
industrial liquid waste treated soils.
In addition, the leaf number, leaf length, leaf width and dry matter yield of vegetables treated
with municipal liquid waste were found to have a positive and significant correlation with soil
total organic matter, total organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus
and exchangeable bases. Yet, except for Cd, and Pb, an increase in the concentration of some
of the heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn) was observed on the analyzed soil samples treated with
both industrial and municipal liquid wastes. On the other hand, however, the research findings
indicated that the difference in the level of concentration (accumulation! of heavy metals as a
result of industrial and municipal liquid wastes application, between the sampled vegetable
species was insignificant for Cd, Ni, and Zn. However, the concentration difference for Cr, Cu
and Pb within and between the vegetables was significant. In the study, neither toxicity
symptoms nor reduction of yields in biomass was observed in all sample vegetables.
Furthermore, from the findings it was observed that the degree of concentration of heavy
metals in each of the sampled vegetables was below the range of toxicity level.
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Biology