Effect of treated and untreated domestic wastewater on seed germination, seedling growth and amylase and lipase activities in Avena sativa L.
BACKGROUND
Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a potential economically viable source of lipids and starch for use in foods. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of treated and untreated urban wastewater on seed germination, growth parameters and lipase and amylase activities in A. sativa.


RESULTS
Untreated wastewater was highly toxic in nature and had an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth. However, after bacterial treatment, its toxicity was significantly reduced and it showed improved seed germination. It was observed that treated wastewater had no inhibitory effect on seedling growth parameters. However, A. sativa seeds treated with untreated effluent showed reduced lipase and amylase activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Treated wastewater could be used for irrigation purposes provided that it satisfies other conditions fixed by legislation.
Unité de Recherche Toxicologie - Microbiologie Environnementale et Santé, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Imen
I
Fendri
Rania
R
Ben Saad
Bassem
B
Khemakhem
Nihed
N
Ben Halima
Radhouane
R
Gdoura
Slim
S
Abdelkafi
D057914:Agricultural Irrigation / Q000379:methods*; D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D018554:Avena / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria; D018525:Germination; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D036226:Seedlings / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification
D000681:Amylases; D006867:Hydrolases; D008049:Lipase; D062065:Wastewater