Abstract
The growth of Samanea saman was investigated in a green house in different soils of industrial areas (Sindh Industrial Trading Estate)
of Karachi. The seedlings of S. saman which were grown in polluted soils of different industrial areas showed variation in many
growth variables like root, shoot, seedling length, plant cover, leaf area, root, shoot, leaf dry weight, total plant dry weight, and various
ratios as compared to plants grown in soil of University Campus. There was reduction in root, shoot, leaf and total plant dry weight of
S. saman in Pakistan metal industry, Dalda Limited and Indus battery soil while, increase in root, shoot, and seedling length, plant
cover and leaf area were observed in these industrial soils as compared to seedlings grown in University Campus soil. The industrial
areas soils especially the Shafi tannery increased the growth variables of S. saman as compared to University Campus and other
industrial soils. The soil of industrial areas was sandy clay loam to sandy and silt loam with high bulk density and chloride contents,
low porosity, electrical conductivity and total dissolved salt, alkaline pH, high sulphur, sodium and potassium (except for Shafi
tannery), as compared to University Campus soil which was clay-loam in texture. Highest amount of total dissolved salts and
electrical conductivity was found in the soil of Indus battery followed by University Campus, Pakistan metal industry, Dalda limited
and Shafi tannery.
