EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON SEED GERMINATION ON SOIL SAMPLES FROM INDUSTRIALLY POLLUTED AND HEAVY TRAFFIC AREAS

Dr. Smita Asthana; Ms .Nazia Fathima; Dr. D. Sirisha

Volume : V, Issue : IV, April - 2016

EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON SEED GERMINATION ON SOIL SAMPLES FROM INDUSTRIALLY POLLUTED AND HEAVY TRAFFIC AREAS

Dr. Smita Asthana, Ms . Nazia Fathima, Dr. D. Sirisha

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;The increasing pressure of providing food to feed the geometrically growing population throughout the world is a challenge for farmers, scientists and policy makers alike. It can be met through the intensification of agriculture, which requires high yielding varieties, with high input of water and fertilizer and of late through biotechnology. The present paper deals with analysis of soil collected from three industrial areas and areas of heavy traffic regions in the city of Hyderabad. The heavy metals were estimated by DTPA extraction method. The results have revealed a very high levels of presence of toxic metals like Zn,Cu and Cd in the soil samples of the industrial areas. Their effect was further studied by carrying out the germination of seeds by applying chemical fertilizer, urea and a bio-fertilizer, vermicompost. Environment ethics suggest use of natural manures and organic farming may be a viable solution. The moot point is industrialization at what cost? Should there not be a focus on environmental ethics.</p>