Authors : Farnoosh Zargari and Hasan Hekmat Shoar
Abstract: In this study, the effects of cement dust-provided from cement factory complex of Soofian located in 30 Km north of Tabriz-Iran-on seed germination and early seedling growth including root, hypocotyl elongation and number of lateral roots in seedlings of 2 cultivars of Helianthus annuus L. Armavirusky and Eroflor-have been investigated. The seeds were exposed to 0, 0.42, 0.84, 1.26 and 1.68, 7 (g L 1) of cement dust solutions on based of ISTA rules for 7 days. The obtained results showed that cement dust didn�t effect significantly on seed germination, root elongation and number of lateral roots in both cultivars compared to control group (p>0.01) but hypocotyl length with increasing concentration of cement dust solution showed a significantly decrease in both cultivars (p<0.01) compared control group seedlings. Hypocotyl growth was a more sensitive endpoint than root growth and number of lateral roots. There was no significant difference in seedling growth between 2 cultivars in similar treatments but it was significant in treatment of 7 g L 1 of cement solution in germination percent between these cultivars (p<0.01).
Farnoosh Zargari and Hasan Hekmat Shoar , 2008. Effects of Various Levels of Cement Dust on Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in 2 Cultivars of Helianthus annuus L.. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3: 1189-1193.