Effect of Cement Dust on Growth Parameters of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Abstract

The effect of cement dust on the growth parameters of tomato (Lycopersicon escu­lentum L.) was studied. The cement dust (@ 2 g plant-1) exerted both inhibitory and promotory effects on different growth parameters. The decrease in number of leaves (59.69 and 67%), leaf area (69.92 and 68.59%), root length (25.39, 49.64%), shoot length (63.39 and 48.11%), plant circumference (34.48 and 58.33%), dry weight of leaves (69.97 and 71.76%), dry weight of plant (61.68 and 75.28%) and increase in specific leaf area (-0.25 and -11.66%) in cement dust treated plants. However, root/ shoot length ratio (-106.89%), specific leaf weight (-2.5%) increased and leaf weight ratio (21.73%), leaf area ratio (21.76%) decrease after 45 days of seedling growth as compared to control. but leaf weight ratio (21.73%) and leaf area ratio (21.76%) decreased it next to 45 days seedling growth as compared to control. But, after 65 days of seedling growth, specific leaf weight (7.35%), root/shoot length ratio (2.85%) decreased and leaf weight ratio (-14.89%), leaf area ratio (20.25%) increased as compared to control.