37. Comparative study of Portland cement impact on growth of mung bean, black gram and cowpea seeds
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Abstract
Air pollution due to cement dust is an important issue of environmental concern and major threat to crop production. A significant work has been done in developed countries and less is done on this aspect in our country. This study will benefit and provide an opportunity to understand the level of toxicity and tolerance limit of cement pollution stress to agronomic crops where environmental pollution is major issue in agriculture sector. The cement manufacturing industrial plants produce large quantities of particulate matter, minerals, heavy metals and found responsible for degradation of environment and influenced on vegetation. The study showed that different level of cement pollution treatment highly decreased plant height and dry weight of selected pulse crops. The leaflets of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) were significantly affected by 1% cement pollution. The lowest percentage of tolerance in all seedlings were found to cement treatment at 4%. The variable difference in edaphic properties of cement treated soil as compared to noncement treated soil was also recorded.
Keywords: Cement pollution; Soil characteristics; Tolerance; Toxicity