Effect of cement dust on the growth and yield of Brassica campestris L.

Plants of Brassica campestris L. var. G-S20 were treated with cement dust, at rates of 3 (B(1)), 5 (B(2)) and 7 (B(3)) gm(-2) day(-1) for 90 days. Treated plants showed a consistent reduction in growth, photosynthetic pigments, yield and oil content over control plants. The overall phytomass of treated plants was significantly decreased, the maximum reduction being 64.8% in B(3) plants, followed by B(2) plants (55.3%) and B(1) plants (43.69%) at 60 days. The effect on oil content was also greatest in B(3) plants, where it was decreased by 6.13%.