INFLUENCE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)V. SUDHAKAR, JYOTHI MANOHAR CH, K. ABRAHAM AND T. DAMODHARAMAbstract The objective of the present study is to find out the influence of industrial wastewater on morphological and chlorophyll content of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Pot culture experiments were conducted on groundnut plants under natural conditions by day and night light in the Department. Seeds were grown in pots for a period of 30 days where the soil was treated with various wastewater concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100%) collected nearby industrial area and a control was carried out. The heavy metals comprise in experimental crops were determined and observed in experimental days i.e., 10, 20 and 30th day. The metals such as Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cd and Zn were estimated in plants by AAS. The germination percentage of seed, seedling growth and chlorophyll content showed a gradual decline with increase in wastewater concentrations. The results have been observed at 25% concentration, there was growth rate in root length, an increase in shoot length and total chlorophyll content up to 20th day. At 30th day, decrease was observed in all the parameters. However, at higher concentrations of the effluent, toxic effects were observed from 20th day onwards. |