Impact of industrial effluent on morphological characteristics of maize fodder

Industrial effluent (IE) is a serious threat to human, plant and aquatic lives. This study was carried out to assess the impact of IE on morphological characteristics of maize fodder at different stages of growth. The pot experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design using five treatments with eight replications at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur and IE was collected from the discharge points of the nearest garments located at BSMRAU. The treatments were T1, 100% FW (fresh water); T2, 75% FW + 25% IE; T3, 50% FW + 50% IE; T4, 25% FW + 75% IE; T5, 100% IE. The results indicated that IE decreased plant height and plant dry weight for all stages. Leaves number was reduced at the maturity stage in the IE treatments. No influence was observed on leaf length by IE. Higher concentrations of IE also influenced smaller leaf width at the vegetative stage. Root length was reduced for the application of IE at the maturity and vegetative stage. Root dry weight was higher for T1 and T3 at the flowering stage and T3 at the maturity stage. Hence, it may be concluded that IE had negative effect on the morphological characteristics of maize fodder. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 52 (1): 38-44, March 2023