Researcher: Dayrit, Janella D. July 2022
Adviser: Glen S. Nolasco
ABSTRACT
Anthropogenic activities permit the distribution and accumulation of heavy metals in different ecosystems beyond the safety level. Intensive use of copper (Cu) in forms such as fertilizer, growth promoters, and bactericides become concerning in agriculture. The need for intervention arose, and phytoremediation seek plants with the potential to tolerate and extract these contaminants. The study aimed to evaluate the seed germination and seedling establishment of Ziziphus talanai (Balakat tree) treated with different concentrations of Cu. A total of 120 seeds were used with five treatments. CuSO4.5H2O was added to the soil samples at levels of 60mg / k * g ^ – 1 * (TI) 760mg / k * g ^ – 1 (T2) , 100mg / k * q ^ – 1 T3), and 10000mg / k * g ^ – 1 * (74) . A control treatment group (TO) with no added Cu was also used. Experiment continued until establishment for 28 days. Germination percentage, germination speed index, mean germination time, and seedling vigor index were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results showed that germination was not influenced by varying Cu concentrations except for the average time for maximum germination. The MGT has decreased days as Cu levels increased to 2, 100mg / k * g ^ – 1 above. Significantly, higher doses of Cu have a more pronounced effect on seedlings. Cu levels of 2,100 to 10000mg / k * g ^ – 1 affected SVI, and reduced root and shoot elongation. Z. talanai tolerated Cu levels up to 760 mg / k * g ^ – 1 The germination and seedling experiment provided a preliminary investigation that indicates the potential tolerance of Z. talanai on Cu-contaminated soils.
Keywords: germination, seedling establishment, Ziziphus talanai, copper, soil contamination, phytoremediation
Dayrit, J. D. (2022). Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment of Balakat Tree (Ziziphus talanai (Blanco) Merr.) as Influenced by Copper Artificially Contaminated Soils. Bachelor of Science in Biology. Mabalacat City College, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. [Undergraduate thesis, Mabalacat City College].