Kukreja, KamleshDharmender Kumar2016-11-182016-11-182008http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/86316The distillery waste water generally known as spent wash is amongst the worst pollutants produced by industries. Production of spent wash is a continuous process, therefore it can be used not only for irrigation purpose but also for preventing the environmental hazard and can serve as a potential source of fertilizer if used rationally and in appropriate concentration. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objectives to study the effect of graded doses and methods of application of digested spent wash on seed germination, nodulation, nutrient uptake and photosynthetic activity in chickpea. Digested spent wash used during present study was collected from Panipat distillery. It was red brown in color having unpleasant smell, pH slightly alkaline (pH 7.92) and EC, 20.5 dsm-1. Total carbon and nitrogen contents of digested spent wash were 3.94 gL-1 and 1.21 gL-1 respectively. Under laboratory conditions, lower concentrations (2.5-20%) of digested spent wash were not inhibitory to seed germination. Although 100% seed germination was observed at 50% spent wash concentration but it lead to poor seedling growth and delayed seed germination. Germination percentage and seedling growth were retarded at 100% concentration of digested spent wash. Under pot house conditions, 100% seed germination was observed up to 20% concentration of digested spent wash (applied along with irrigation) and 250 m3ha-1 (applied as soil amendment) of digested spent wash. There was complete failure of seed germination at higher concentrations (50% and 500 m3ha-1) of digested spent wash. Increased concentrations of digested spent wash affected the nodulation of chickpea. Inclusion of digested spent wash with irrigation affected the nodulation even at lower concentration (5%) whereas application of digested spent wash in soil upto 100 m3ha-1 did not have adverse effect on nodulation. Lower concentrations of digested spent wash up to 5% (applied along with irrigation) and 50 m3ha-1 (applied as soil amendment) had no detrimental effect on plant growth (shoot length, root length and their weight). Higher concentrations of digested spent wash (applied as irrigation or as soil amendment) were inhibitory to plant growth. Photosynthetic activity of chickpea plants measured in the form of chlorophyll a flurescence it was maximum at 10% (applied along with irrigation) and 100 m3ha-1 (applied as soil amendment) of digested spent wash. Slight decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescence was observed at higher concentrations. With increase in concentration of digested spent wash, there was decrease in N and P uptake by chickpea plants. No significant difference in pH of different treatments was observed in post harvest soil with application of digested spent wash. However, EC of the soil increased with increase in concentrations of digested spent wash (applied as irrigation), while it was well maintained with one time application (soil amendment) of digested spent wash. With increase in concentrations of digested spent wash, there was significant increase in organic carbon, total N and P content of post harvest soil.enIrrigation, Costs, Trickle irrigation, Fruit products, Irrigation systems, Investment, Manpower, Area, Crops, Furrow IrrigationThesis