The effect of cassava processing wastewater from four hybrid varieties of cassava (TMS 92/0057, NR 8082, TMS 92/0326 and TMS 30572), on the germination and early seedling growth of maize was studied in the laboratory. The wastewater from these cassava varieties were highly acidic with low pH of 4.0, 4.0, 4.10 and 4.20 respectively, had a low BOD ranging from 1.6 2.45, while their HCN ranged from 12.96 16.86 mg/l. The germination percentage, growth parameters and biomass were significantly (P= 0.05) reduced with increase in the acidic level of the effluents. Higher concentrations of the wastewater were inhibitory to the germination and early seedling growth of maize. The waste water from the four hybrid varieties of cassava increased the level of trace metal element in Zea mays. Hybrid TMS 92/0326 was less toxic and is recommended to farmers. This study suggests that higher concentrations of cassava processing effluent could be detrimental to the germination and early seedling growth of Zea mays.
Key words: Biochemical, Characterization, Cassava. Wastewater, Maize
|
