International Journal of Agricultural Science Research Vol. 3(4), pp. 052-068, April 2014 ISSN 2327-3321 ©2014 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fertigational impact of sugar mill effluent on agronomical practices of Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) in two seasons

Vinod Kumar* and A.K. Chopra

Agro-ecology and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science,

Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar-249404 (Uttarakhand), India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: drvksorwal@gmail.com.  

ABBREVIATIONS

ANOVA - Analysis of variance, BD - Bulk density, BIS - Bureau of Indian Standards, BWW - Bore well water, HI - Harvest index, LAI - Leaf area index, MPN - Most probable numbers, RT - Relative toxicity, SME – Sugar mill effluent, SPC - Standard plate count, WHC - Water holding capacity.

Accepted 18 April, 2014

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the agro-potentiality of sugar mill effluent (SME) as agro-based organic bio-fertigant. The fertigation response of 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of SME doses on Vigna radiata L., cv. Pusa-105 in the rainy and summer seasons was investigated. The fertigant concentrations produced significant (P<0.01) changes in the electrical conductivity (EC), pH, organic carbon (OC), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN), phosphate (PO₄^3-), sulphate (SO₄^2-), iron (Fe²⁺), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) of the soil in both seasons. The most shoot, root length, dry weight, chlorophyll content, leaf area index (LAI), number of flowers, pods, crop yield, harvest index (HI), crude proteins, crude fiber and total carbohydrates of V. radiata was noted with 25% concentration of the SME in both seasons compared to the controls. The accumulation of metals was increased in the soil and V. radiata increased from 5% to 100% concentrations of the SME. The contamination factor (Cf) of various metals was observed in the order of Cr>Cd>Mn>Zn>Cu for soil and Mn>Zn>Cu>Cr>Cd for V. radiata in both seasons after fertigation with SME. The contents of Cu, Mn and Zn except Cd and Cr in the soil and V. radiata were noted under the permissible limit of Indian soil standards and FAO/WHO standards respectively. Therefore, SME has the potentiality as agro-based bio-fertigant and can be used to improve the soil fertility and yield of V. radiata after appropriate dilution.

Keywords: Sugar mill effluent, fertigation, Vigna radiata, heavy metals, contamination factor, rainy season, summer season.