Effect of tannery effluent on seed germination and seedling growth in crotalaria juncea linn

Tannery effluents are one of the major causes of land and water pollution. In the recent times efforts have been taken to reduce the release of these effluents or to adopt eco-friendly tanning methods. However, the damage already caused to soils of Tamilnadu in regions having tanning industry has to be reversed and there have been several attempts to achieve this end. In the present investigation, the effect of tannery effluents on the seed germination and seedling growth of Crotalaria juncea has been studied. The effluent showed marked growth promoting effect in seedling growth at lower concentration while inhibitory effects at higher concentration. Increase in effluent concentration showed decrease in shoot and root length. It can be concluded from this study that if tannery effluent is properly treated and diluted, it can be used for crop growth. The tannery effluent can be effectively used at diluted concentration, as it improves the growth of Crotalaria juncea which is legume, commonly used as a green manure crop that can further enhance the fertility of the soil.