ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Marble Industry Effluents
on Soil Quality, Growth and Productivity
of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in District
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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1
Department of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, University of Swat, 19200, Pakistan
2
School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai street, Beijing 100875, China
3
Department of Microbiology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CUVAS),
Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
4
Center of Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, 19200, Pakistan
5
Centre for Management and Commerce, University of Swat, 19200, Pakistan
6
Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Mir’s 66111, Pakistan
Submission date: 2021-09-05
Final revision date: 2021-11-27
Acceptance date: 2021-12-07
Online publication date: 2022-05-02
Publication date: 2022-06-20
Corresponding author
Sana Ullah
School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai street, Beijing 100875, 100875, Beijing, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2022;31(4):3263-3270
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ABSTRACT
Soil and water pollution adversely affect growth and productivity of agri-business oriented crops
in Pakistan. There are many crops consumed in Pakistan such as Lycopesicon Esculentum which
is a major staple used in District Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A greenhouse study was
conducted to evaluate the effect of marble effluents on soil pH, water holding capacity (WHC)
of soil, seed germination, number of leaves, number of inflorescences, stem girth, root, and shoot
length along with their dry biomasses. Interestingly, there was a linear rise in pH of soil with increase
in effluents concentration. Likewise, seed germination and root length were also improved with
higher concentration of industrial effluents. The study found out no inflorescence at 100% effluent
concentration. In contrast, highest inflorescence (6) was recorded at 10% effluent concentration.
The earlier ripening of tomatoes occured with the highest concentration of effluents. There were no
drastic changes in terms of number of seeds and its germination, while the shoot length was reduced as
compared to control group. Significant differences of WHC in soil was found, moreover the maximum
WHC was found in 20% treatment. These empirical results indicate that marble industry effluents may
degrade the growth and productivity of Lesculentum. The study contributes to a better understanding of marble effluents on growth and productivity of Lycopesicion Esculentum in target area of study to
improve agribusiness productivity for tomato while improving envoironmental sustainability.