Effect of mercury-treated soil on germination and growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the stress of mercury-treated soils on the germination and growth of papaya (Carica papaya L.). The research was carried out in the field as a potted experiment where 10 kg soils were treated with mercury concentrations of 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100 ppm. The soils were supplemented with poultry manure before seeding, and then mercury solution treatments were administered. Up to the fourth week after planting, the mercury solutions were administered every fourth day. Germination, plant height, stem girth, and number of leaves generated were all examined using standard procedures. Carica papaya germinated twenty-five days after sowing. Thirty-four days after planting, the control had the highest rate of germination (about 53%). The presence of Hg reduced the duration of seedling emergence in contaminated soil, lowering the proportion of seedlings that germinated. Treatments of 30 ppm and 70 ppm improved the plant growth upon emergence. It is recommended that further study be carried out to determine the physiological effects of Hg treatment.