Responses of Vigna radiata and Vigna unguiculata Seedlings to Distillery Effluent

The present study was undertaken to find out the physico-chemical characteristics of both untreated and treated distillery effluent and effect of various concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 % v/v) of treated distillery effluent on the seed germination and seedling growth of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek Var. Pusa baisaki and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Var. CS 1. The physico-chemical analysis of the effluent showed high alkalinity with high BOD and COD, total dissolved solids, and total suspended solids. The germination in 25% concentration was found to be maximum as compared to 75 and 100% concentrations. 25% concentration of distillery effluent was found to be beneficial for the growth of shoot and ischolar_main in both the plants as compared to control, indicating the enhancing influence of plant nutrients present in the effluent. However, the reduction in seedling growth revealed that constituents of distillery effluent at higher concentrations exhibited deleterious effects on both the crops plants.