Effect of contaminated water (handwashing detergent) on seed germination traits in wheat, mung bean, and chickpea

Abstract

Household detergents are a source of water pollu-tants that adversely affect crops. These pollutants not only reduce plant growth, but also have a negative impact on the environment. To investigate the effect of handwashing liquid on the germination characteristics of wheat, mung bean, and chickpea, a study was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. Water contaminated with different concentrations of handwashing liquid ((0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10) % of handwashing liquid) was used as treatment. The results showed that with increasing concentration of the contaminant, germination characteristics such as seed germination percentage, caulicle length, radicle length, and seed vigor decreased. Wheat was the most sensitive to detergent concentration compared to the other two plants, with the lowest detergent concentration causing a severe reduction in its germination traits. Therefore, farmers using water contaminated with household detergents need to be aware of its concentration to ensure healthy plant growth.