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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/28
Investigating the effect of almond biochar and sewage water on the seed germination of
spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

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Sidra Muqaddas , Sajjad Ahmad , Abu Baker Umar Farooq , Ghulam Abbas , Muhammad
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Imran , Rab Nawaz , Muhammad Arshad
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus
2 Department of Environmental Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
3 Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, Karakoram International University, Gilgit
Correspondence: sajjad.ahmad@cuivehari.edu.pk
Abstract
Pakistan is facing a serious challenge related to water pollution and environmental degradation
resulting due to use of polluted water. Pakistan ranks 80/122 nations concerning water
standards and quality. Sewage waste disposal is a major problem. In most of the cases, the
untreated sewage either finds its way to the nearest water bodies or is intentionally put into the
agricultural fields by the farmers as a substitute for irrigation. The objectives of this study were,
to investigate the effects of sewage water and almond biochar on the germination of spinach
(Spinacia oleracea) seeds, to assess the effect of sewage water and almond biochar on the root
and shoot growth. The methodology of this study was completed into two phases. In first phase
we were done sowing process with seed hydration technique. Four different treatments were
adopted for seeds such distilled water (DW), distilled water with biochar (DWB), sewage water
(SW) and sewage water with biochar (SWB). After sowing process, different irrigation
treatments and schedule were recorded along with relevant germination rate. In second phase,
physiological measurements of plants including root and shoot length were recorded. Fresh and
dry weight of all the plants were also assessed using a digital weighing balance. Statistical tools
such as average, sum, percentage and regression models were applied to assess the effect and
association of the different treatments with seed germination. The results of this study reveals
that spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seed germination exhibited clear distinction compared to
distilled water and sewage water. Both germination time and germination speed were
influenced due to the application of sewage water. Growth parameters, as well as biomass
accumulation, also exhibited a negative influence of sewage water as compared to the
application of distilled water for irrigation. Application of sewage water reduced spinach
(Spinacia oleracea) seed germination compared to distilled water applied for Irrigation. The
application of biochar improved the seed germination and seedling growth compared to no
biochar application. It can be concluded that biochar application into the germination medium
improving germination and temporarily hinder the negative effects of sewage water. Sewage
water practice is economical beneficial for farmers because it reduces production costs.
Key words: Almond biochar; Germination; Spinach seed; Sewage water

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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