Effects of industrial wastewater on germination and some physiological properties of dormast oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) seeds

Abstract

In this study, where the effects of various concentrations of unfiltered wastewaters released from a textile factory located in the organized industrial zone of Bartin on mean germination percentages, seed power, and total chlorophyll content of seedlings have been evaluated, the dormast oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) which is widely used in our country in artificial regeneration, rehabilitation and foresting activities has been chosen. When the results related with mean seed germination percentage have been evaluated, it has been determined that there is a statistically significant (p<0.01) difference between control and wastewater implemented dormast oak seeds in terms of germination percentage, and that 3 different groups have emerged. Accordingly, the germination percentage of seeds has shown significant decrease after concentration of 40%. Accordingly, while the dormast oak seeds in control group and 20% wastewater treatment group take place in the 1st group, the 2nd group consists of experiment populations treated with 40% and 60% of wastewater concentrations where the seed power started to decrease significantly, and the seed groups treated with 80% and 100% of wastewater concentrations where the seed power is lowest-clustered in 3rd group. As in germination percentage, the most important decrease in seed power starts from treatment with 40% of wastewater concentration. On the other hand, it has been found that the power starts to increase since the 8th day in almost all of the groups. Also, there is a strong relationship with value of 92% between the total chlorophyll content found in fresh dormast oak seedlings and industrial wastewater concentration (R2= 0.9216). © 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.