Abstract

The seed germination trials have relevance in selection of the plants for their prospective use in phytoremediation. The effect of organic contaminants; anthracene and chlorpyrifos on the seed germination of Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) has been investigated. The germination of ryegrass seeds was evaluated in the separately spiked soil with organic compounds at the concentrations 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg while un-spiked soil taken as control. There was no inhibitory effect of anthracene observed on germination as compared to the control whereas significant reduction and delay in seed germination was observed at the higher chlorpyrifos concentrations of 75 and 100 mg/kg. The results show the pesticide (chlorpyrifos) toxicity was not caused to the ryegrass seeds up to the concentration of 50 mg/kg. The level of seed germination was found to decrease with increasing concentrations of chlorpyrifos in the soil. The findings of this study assessed ability of ryegrass seeds to survive and tolerate the contaminants for phytoremediation studies.

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