Abstract
The impact of detergent effluent on the growth, yield and foliar epidermal characters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was investigated. The variety of tomato ((ROMA VF) was grown on soil contaminated with different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) of the effluent. It was observed that the effluent affected the time of germination, flowering and fruiting of the tomato plant. The number and weight of fruits produced were also affected although the extent varied with concentrations. There were significant variations in the plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, number of fruits and weight of fruits among the different treatments at 0.05 level of probability. At lower effluent concentrations, it was observed that the growth and number of fruits were relatively higher than the control (plants not treated with the effluent). The foliar anatomical study on the tomato showed that the effluent affected the structures of the plants. Significant reductions were observed in the stomata density, trichome frequency and number of epidermal cells on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces as the concentration increases. This study revealed that detergent effluent had significant effect on the growth, yield and the foliar anatomy of Solanum lycopersicum especially at higher concentration (25%).
Highlights
Effluents are wastes produced from industries and vary depending on the human activities that produce them
Experimental site The experiment was conducted at the Botanical garden of the University of Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria to assess the effects of detergents effluents on the growth and yield of Solanum lycopersicum
This study recorded the progressive increase in the values of the growth parameters of Solanum lycopersicum as effluent concentration increased from 5% to 20% concentration but there was a reduction in the growth parameters at 25% concentration, this could be as a result of changes in soil condition imposed by plant growth element that may be present in the effluent in agreement with the findings of Mammi et al (2011)
Summary
Effluents are wastes produced from industries and vary depending on the human activities that produce them. Even at the places where some treatment facilities exist, these are not been operated properly These waste waters pollute the water resources and the agricultural land (Arjun et al, 2013). It has been found that the growth and yield of crops and soil health get reduced when farmers use these polluted water for irrigation of the cultivated land (Nandy and Kaul, 1994). Most of the urban farmers in Nigeria divert treated or untreated effluent contaminated water to their farmlands for irrigation of especially vegetable farms to meet up with the rising demand for fresh vegetables in the country (Uaboi-Egbenni et al, 2009; Fatoba et al, 2011). There should be cautious use of such waters for irrigation of crops that are tender and herbaceous like vegetables (Ogunkunle et al, 2013)
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