Correlation Between Potentially Toxic Elements in Irrigation Water and Seed Germination Performance: Implications for Agricultural Sustainability

Seed germination is a vital physiological stage involving radicle emergence, metabolic reactivation, and water uptake (imbibition), progressing through rapid initial absorption, a stabilization phase, and renewed uptake for seedling growth. This process is highly sensitive to environmental stress, especially heavy metal contamination from mining-industrial effluents and pesticide runoff. Non-essential metals such as Cd, Pb, Hg and the metalloid As accumulate in soils, disrupt physiological and biochemical functions, and reduce germination and early growth. Their bioavailability is influenced by soil organic matter, clay content, and pH, with toxicity generally lowered by humified organic matter and higher pH. This study quantifies Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in irrigation water, relates PTE levels to germination performance, and evaluates the Germination Index (GI). Spatial variation in PTEs across Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the Raniganj Block of Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India, is mapped. Tirat GP shows the highest radicle length (5.88 cm), relative radicle growth (138.35), and GI (14,823.63). Egara GP records the highest germination (91.33% at 75% concentration) and relative germination speed (118.63 at 100%), indicating tolerance. Although As is undetected and all PTEs are within permissible limits, significant correlations between PTEs and germination traits reveal that even mild metal burdens can impair early development. By integrating geospatial mapping with a dilution-based bioassay, the study identifies biological effects at sub-regulatory concentrations and locates resilient sites. Continued monitoring and soil management to enhance organic matter and moderate pH are recommended for sustainable agriculture in mining-industrial affected landscapes.