Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Leachate on Plant Growth and Micro Element's Uptake of Green Chilli

Municipal solid waste (MSW) leachate contains micro elements that can be used by plant. They are essential for plant growth cycle at sufficient level and impose a vital role in increasing yields of most agricultural crops. Greenhouse experiment was carried out with four treatments (control, 20%, 40%, 60% leachate to water (V/V) ratios) with three replications by using a completely randomized design to study the effect of (MSW) leachate on growth and concentration of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in green chilli plant. Plant fresh biomass and plant height were highest in 40%(MSW) leachate, with an increase of 68% and 107% respectively compared to control. Number of branches in 40%(MSW) leachate showed an increase of 80% compared to control indicating a positive impact of (MSW) leachate application of up to 40% on these parameters. Fe, Cu, Mn concentrations in plant showed an increasing trend with increasing the percentage of (MSW) leachate to water. As 60% (MSW) leachate increased Fe, Cu, Mn concentrations by 6%,31%,6% respectively when compared to control, but no significant changes were observed between the treatments. Highest Fe, Cu, Mn contents in soil after plant harvest were observed in (MSW) leachate of 60% indicating, their highest uptake and concentrations in plant for this treatment, probably due to limited plant growth. Highest Zn were observed in plant and soil of 60% (MSW) leachate treatment, as Zn concentration in plant showed 46% increase compared to control, probably, due to its highest soil content for this treatment. In general, application of (MSW) leachate up to 40%(V/V) leachate to water ratio for green chilli had a positive impact on plant growth parameters and concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn in plant and soil (except Fe).However, their concentrations were much less than their standard critical values and therefore leachate applications in calcareous soils is recommended while considering soil EC and plant tolerance.