Effect of Industrial Waste on Seed Bank and Growth of Wild Plants in Dhabeji Area, Karachi, Pakistan

An experimental trial was conducted at Dhabeji area to see the effect of chemical industry waste (organic with heavy metals) on seed bank of barren area of Dhabeji. An industrial sludge and its ash content were used in different concentrations, 10Kg and 20Kg sludge, 10kg and 20kg ash respectively to see the effect on seed bank, germination and growth of wild plants. After rainfall 17 species appeared in control viz., Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq., Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss, Zygophyllum simplex L., Tribulus terrestris L., Dactyloctenium scindicum Boiss, Chloris barbata Sw., Cyperus rotundus L., Indigofera cordifolia Heyne ex Roth, Salsola baryosma (R.& S.) Dandy, Indigofera hochstetteri Baker and Heliotropium strigosum Willd, while remaining 6 species viz., Digera muricata (L.) Mart., Amaranthus viridis L., Blepharis sindica stocks ex T. Anders, Panicum antidotale Retz., Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de-Wit were recorded in control and treated plots. Number of seedlings, height, fresh weight and dry weight of these species were determined. It has been observed that 20kg sludge showed better response on fresh weight and dry weight of D. muricata, A. viridis and P. antidotale while the same treatment seemed to have positive effect on germination and height of L. leucocephala. It is suggested that this particular type of industrial waste is toxic (due to heavy metals) to some species while some species showed better growth due to presence of organic matter.