Effect of automobile polluted soil on early seedling growth performance of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

Effect of automobile polluted soil with five soil concentration (0 (Control), 25, 50, 75 and 100%) was observed on early seedling growth performance and biomass production of Neem (<i>Azadirachta indica</i> A. Juss). The treatment of 75% automobile polluted soil significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) decreased the seedling length (18.60 cm) of <i>A. indica</i>. The automobile polluted soil treatment with the concentration of 50% slightly increased the root length as compared to control. The automobile polluted soil treatment with the concentration of 25, 50, 75 and 100% negatively affected shoot length of <i>A. indica</i> as compared to control. The treatment of all concentration of automobile polluted soil progressively decreased the total leaf area <i>A. indica</i> as compared to control soil treatment. The automobile polluted soils also showed negative effects on biomass production of <i>A. indica</i>. The automobile polluted soil treatment at 25% concentration significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) affected shoot, leaves and seedling dry weight of <i>A. indica</i> as compared to control soil treatment. The order of relationship between production of <i>A. indica</i>'s seedling dry weight and automobile polluted soil treatment was observed as root > shoot > leaves > total seedling.