Vol. 8 No. (1): 160 - 173 (2017): In vitro EFFECTS OF TANNERY EFFLUENTS ON SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays), SPINACH (Spinacia caudatus) AND LETTUCE (Lactuca sativa)

Tannery effluents collected from Sharada industrial area, Kano State were analyzed for
their physiochemical parameters, heavy metals analysis and impact on seed
germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays), spinach (Amaranthus caudatus)
and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under laboratory conditions. Different concentrations of the
effluents were prepared using standard methods in a Completely Randomized Designed
(CRD) with the five treatments viz: 20, 40; 60, 80, and 100% concentrations in three
replicates. The mean percentage germination, phytotoxicity, seedling length (cm), root
length (cm), dry weight (gm) and fresh weight (gm) of all the seed revealed
considerable reduction at higher (80% and 100%) effluent concentrations on seed
germination and other morphological parameters. While the mean values of effluent
concentration on phytotoxicity follows the order; maize 82% >lettuce 75% > spinach
29% and the percentage germination showed; spinach 31% > lettuce 25%> maize
22%.This showed that maize seeds were more susceptible to the tannery effluent than
the other seeds, an indication of its adverse effects on the germination and seedling
growth. The mean values of physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were within
the WHO standard permissible limit for irrigation water with the exception of
chromium which had 1.32± 0.35 mg/L. Although some of the heavy metal
concentrations were within the permissible limits but the specific problem associated
with heavy metals in theenvironment is their accumulation through food chain with
long term effect. The tannery effluents reflect inhibitory effect to the seed varieties at
higher concentrations. It is concluded that morphological analysis of the tannery
effluent at lower concentration enhances seed germination where as at higher
concentration causes inhibitory effect.