Impact of pharmaceutical industry effluent on seed germination and seedling growth of some common crops of Bangladesh

This project was carried out to investigate the effect of pharmaceutical industry effluents on seed germination and seedling growth of some common cultivated crops of Bangladesh. Four varieties of crops such as Okra, Data shak, Ridge gourd, and Black mustard were selected to grow in this effluent. Concentrations used for the effluents in terms of seed germinations were 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. The optimum condition of seed germination obtained for Okra, Data shak and Ridge gourd were 25%, 100% and 50% respectively. However, in terms of Black mustard the germination percentage was same in all condition. At lower dilutions the crops exhibited favorable effect on seed germination, seedling growth, shoot length and root length. Among all 100% concentrations of the effluent caused inhibitory effect in terms of all crops except Black mustard. Based on the present investigations, it can be concluded that pharmaceutical effluent which is discharging as waste can be used for irrigation purpose, after proper dilution. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 57(1), 15-22, 2022