THE EFFECTS OF OLIVE MILL WASTEWATER IN FOUR ADSORBENTS ON GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) has been a significant environmental problem in countries producing them. Therefore a randomized parcel design with two factors was set up during the germination period to assess effects of different adsorbent materials on OMWW phytotoxicity on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth parameters. The different concentrations of OMWW and perlite, zeolite, fine sand and volcanic tuff as adsorbent are used materials. The best germination percentage and seedling growth were found in control and OMWW at 25% concentration respectively. Results of germination studies showed that at 25% concentrations of OMWW along with application of perlite, zeolite, fine sand and volcanic tuff increased the germination (%), germination index, seedling length, root length and shoot length of the crop. The results indicated that 100, 75, and 50% OMWW were very phytotoxic and completely prohibited seed germination. In our other studies examining the effects of adsorbent dose; phytotoxicity decreased significantly by the 25 % OMW dilution, and along with adsorbents (0.8 g) as results of removing the phenols and other phytotoxic organic compounds. In conclusion, the zeolite and volcanic tuff can be used at 0.8 g and 0.5 g doses to reduce the negative effects of 50% and 25% OMWW respectively.