Studies on the Effect of an Electroplating Factory Effluent on the Germination and Growth of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) & Egg-plant (Solanum melongena)

The effect of electroplating factory effluent at different dilutions (such as 0.0, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 2.50, 3.00, 3.50 and 4.00%) on the germination, growth and nutrient concentration in Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) and Egg-plant (Solanum melongena) was studied in an urban soil of Aligarh District of Uttar Pradesh. The results indicated that the germination of both the plant was delayed with increase of effluent concentration. The effluent tolerance limit of tomato and Egg-plant was found to be 2.50 and 3.00 % respectively beyond which the germination was not occurred under the experimental conditions of the study. The major nutrient concentration in both the plants decreases with increase in effluent concentration except in the case of Na in tomato and K in Eggplants where it was found to be increased. The micronutrients concentration was increased at initial increase in effluent concentration up to 1.00% and then decreases except in the case of Cu and Mn in tomato and Mn in eggplant. The dry matter yield of tomato and egg-plant was found to be steadily decreases with increase in effluent concentration. The heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, As and Co were not detectable in both the plants.