Effect of irrigation water qualities on Leucaena leucocephala germination and early growth stage

Abstract

The evaluation of nonconventional water resources on seed germination and seedling growth performance at early growth stages is still in progress, especially on multipurpose forest trees. This study was designed to test the effect of four water qualities [treated wastewater, industrial, gray and distilled water (control)] on germination and early seedling vigor of Leucaena leucocephala. The results showed that germination was not significantly affected by different water qualities. Seed germination reached a maximum after 17, 14, 14 and 21 days under gray, industrial, treated wastewater and control irrigation, respectively. The highest mean of shoot length was scored under gray water irrigation. Likewise, the highest mean of root length was scored under control, which was not significant from gray water. The means of shoot fresh and dry weight were the highest under treated wastewater. The means of root fresh weight and root dry weight were not significantly different under water treatments. The shoot/root ratios under all water qualities treatments were significantly higher than the control. Growth performance was in progress with no mortality during 21 days of growth. The best nonconventional water quality alternatives based on cleanness, nutrients and toxicity are the gray, treated wastewater and industrial water, respectively.