Seedling growth of <i>Adenanthera pavonina</i> L. in polluted soils of Karachi railway track

Abstract

The seedling growth performance of Adenanthera pavonina L. in polluted soils of different railway tracks viz. Karachi Cantt. Station, Malir Halt, Malir 15, Landhi Junction and University Campus (control) was studied under in pots under natural field conditions. The results showed that the root, shoot and seedling size, number of leaves, plant cover, leaf weight ratio of A. pavonina seedlings were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in Karachi Cantt. Station soil as compared to University Campus soil. Similarly, shoot, root and seedling size, plant cover, seedling dry weight of A. pavonina were significantly (p<0.05) increased in soils of Landhi Junction as compared to soil of University Campus. A better seedling growth of A. pavonina was also found in soil of Malir 15 followed by Malir Halt. A significant variation in the the physico-chemical characteristics of the railway tract soil sample was observed. The soil of Malir Halt, Malir 15 and Landhi Junction railway tracks was sandy clay loam while the Karachi Cantt. Station and University Campus had clay loam textured soil. A significant variation in chemical characteristics of railway track soil such as maximum water holding capacity, bulk density, chloride contents, available sulfur, and exchangeable sodium as compared to University Campus soil observed. Whereas, porosity, calcium carbonate, organic matter, electrical conductivity, total dissolved salts and exchangeable potassium were low in railway tracks soil. The present study demonstrated that the growth of A. pavonina was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in Karachi Cantt. Station soil as compared to soils of other sites.

Keywords: Adenanthera pavonina, railway track, pollution, seedling growth, soil