Effect of irrigation by contaminated water with cloth detergent on plant growth and seed germination traits of maize ( Zea mays )

People are worried about effect of household cleaning products in the environment. One of the sources of detergent is sewage that is being used for irrigation of the crops. A laboratory experiment and a pot experiment were conducted in 2012 to determine the effect of irrigation with different doses of detergent on plant growth and seed germination traits of maize (Zea mays). The experiments included eight doses of cloth detergent (0, 0.00002, 0.0002, 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, 2, 20 g/L). Results showed that 20 g/L of detergent severely reduced seed germination and root length. 20 and 2 g/L of detergent reduced shoot length and seedling weight. 20 g/L of detergent produced the lowest leaf area, leaf weight, stem weight and total biomass. The results demonstrated that irrigating by the sewage contaminated by household cleaning products at high concentration should be avoided. [Hassan Heidari. Effect of irrigation by contaminated water with cloth detergent on plant growth and seed germination traits of maize (Zea mays). Life Sci J 2012;9(4):1587-1590] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 241