The efficacy of chlorinated water used for irrigation purpose on plant initial growth

Abstract

Recycled irrigation water is one of the major sources of inoculum and may spread plant pathogens in agricultural land or nurseries. Although the recycling of irrigation water has both environmental and ecological benefits, but if not disinfected, it can result in serious disease epidemics and crop losses. Chlorination is the most economical method of disinfecting water and has been adopted by commercial growers in modern age. The given research was carried out in the department of botany, Jinnah University for women, Karachi, for evaluating the disinfecting ability of Chlorine in irrigation water. The growing plants were irrigated with water containing 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 ppm of free chlorine for 2 weeks. The following physical measurements were used to assess the treatments: Shoot length, Root length, Fresh weigh, Dry weight. The observed data indicated the efficiency of free chlorine present in irrigation water for promoting the initial growth level of plant in account of its disinfection capability that suppressed pathogen activity and promotes growth.