Impact of Different Water Qualities on Germination and Seedling Growth of Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Coriandrum sativum, and Raphanus sativus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38211/PJA.2025.02.95Keywords:
Wastewater, Seed germination rate, Coriander, Barley, Wheat, RadishAbstract
Irrigation water quality is a key factor affecting seed germination and early seedling development, which are important stages in the life cycle of crops. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different water qualities on germination and seedling growth of four economically and nutritionally important plant species: Triticum aestivum (wheat), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Hordeum vulgare (barley), and Raphanus sativus (radish). Seeds were sown in pots and irrigated with different water samples, including tube well water, mineral water, domestic wastewater, tap water, and three different salt concentrations (1, 2, and 3%). Germination percentage and seedling growth were estimated at regular intervals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week). The results indicated that wheat exhibited the highest germination rate (47.0%) and seedling growth (4.84 cm), followed by barley (25.5% and 3.89 cm) and radish (22.5% and 2.10 cm). Coriander showed the lowest mean germination percentage (9.92%) and seedling growth (1.26 cm) in all water qualities except three salt concentrations. Notably, under saline conditions, only wheat and barley exhibited germination and growth at lower salt concentrations (1 and 2%). However, neither plant species showed growth performance at 3% salt concentrations. It was concluded that all water qualities except saline are suitable for germination and growth, wastewater can be used as an inexpensive fertilizer, and salt-tolerant varieties (wheat and barley) should be used in saline areas to ensure their survival.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Gul Sika Tareen, Tabinda Shahid, Saeeda Bibi, Asma Abdul Hayee, Aneela Kanwal Shahzadi
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