Effect of Dye and Drainage Waste Water on Growth of Some Amaranthus Species in Gashua, Yobe State.

The textile industry plays a significant role in the economic development of African countries, including Nigeria. With its major contribution to the source of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial output, hence considered a crucial component of the national economy. However, the growth of the textile industry has been accompanied by environmental challenges, precisely the management of wastewater generated during textile manufacturing processes. The arid and semi-arid zone of Nigeria, where irrigation practices are widely adopted, faces the most serious ecological and environmental problems arising from a shortage of water (drought) and many more, this study intend to use waste water from local textile industries and other places to test its effect on growth of some varieties of plants to ensure recycling and practice of zero waste. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Biological Science, Botanical Garden, Federal University Gashua, located at latitude 12°52'5" N and Longitude 11°2'47" E, Yobe State, Nigeria, to evaluate the effect of textile dye waste and drainage water on the growth of some Amaranthus species. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with two treatments and replicated three 3 times. Three (3) varieties of Amaranthus spp. were used: Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus tricolor and one Local check, Amaranthus doguwa. Varieties were screened using plastic pots. The parameters evaluated were: vegetative, physiological and growth. Finding reveals that a higher concentration of dye waste with a pH of 10.93 significantly inhibited growth, causing stunted development. The result of different concentrations of dye waste and drainage water on the growth parameters of plants, i. e plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter across the weeks, shows that Amaranthus caudatus spp. has the highest plant height, Amaranthus caudatus produces the highest number of leaves, 10, while tricolor spp has the lowest number of leaves with 6. In stem diameter, Amaranthus Caudatus has the highest stem diameter of 1.2cm of while tricolor has the stem diameter of 0.6cm. The germination success of Amaranthus species indicated that Amaranthus caudatus has the highest percentage of 66% while Local check Amaranthus spp (Doguwa) has the lowest percentage of 53%. These findings highlight the need for proper waste management practices and water quality monitoring to safeguard crop production and food security in the area.