GROWTH EVALUATION OF CUCUMIS SATIVUS L. (CUCUMBER PLANT) IN ARSENIC AND CHROMIUM TREATED SOILS

Abstract

Evaluation of the growth of Cucumis sativus in arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) treated
soils was carried out. Parameters measured were germination, plant height, number of
leaves, relative water content and total chlorophyll. The concentrations of metal
solutions applied were 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 ppm of arsenic and chromium salts
separately. The study was conducted as potted field experiment. The treatments were
replicated four times. Three days after planting (DAP), C. sativus seeds germinated in
all soil treatments. The highest percentage germination was obtained in control
treatments 15 DAP. The metal treatments depressed germination. Similarly, plant
height was depressed significantly by As and Cr treatments (?=0.05). Plant height
values recorded for 240 ppm As and 240 ppm Cr were 24.1% and 36.5% of their
respective values for control. Differences in number of leaves produced per plants were
found to be statistically significant under arsenic treatment only. The values obtained for
relative water content and total chlorophyll showed that plants grown in As and Cr
treated soils were inhibited. Generally, plants grown under control conditions gave
higher values. From the growth parameters evaluated, arsenic treatments was more
toxic to Cucumis sativus than chromium treatments.