Periodical Effect of Cement Dust Pollution on the Growth of Some Plant Species

Authors: MUHAMMAD ZAFAR IQBAL, MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ

Abstract: A significant reduction in plant cover, height and number of leaves for Carissa carandas L. was observed. Azadirachta indica(L.) A.Juss. showed no significant changes in plant cover and height with the exception of number of leaves. A. indicashowed a significant (p<0.001) reduction in number of leaves on the fourth week of observation. A pronounced effect weeks was also found for Delonix regia (Bojer) Raf. at p<0.01 and p<0.05 significance levels, respectively. It was concluded that the cement dust had a significant effect on the plant growth. A. indicawas found to be less affected by cement dust pollution, while C. carandaswas found to be highly affected. D. regia was moderately affected by cement dust pollution. The analysis of the cement dust showed that it had a high percentage of maximum water holding capacity (65.72%) with fine soil textural class. Chemically, the soil was alkaline in nature having pH 9.53 with a better percentage of CaCO_3 (22%), and alkaline carbonate (2.45 meq/1). The amounts of chloride and conductivity were 8.6 meq/1 and 506 µs/cm, respectively.

Keywords: Cement dust, Dust analysis, Seedling growth and Trees.

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