Revista de Investigaciones Altoandinas - Journal of High Andean Research

Vol. 28 (2026): Publicación continua
Original articles

Impact of Cañete River water on germination parameters of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.)

pdf (Spanish)
Juan Saldivar-Villarroel
National University of Cañete
Edwin Guido Vicente-Paucar
Universidad Nacional de Cañete, San Vicente de Cañete, Perú.
Raymunda Verónica Cruz-Martinez
Universidad Nacional de Cañete, San Vicente de Cañete, Perú.
Luis Felipe Bendezu-Diaz
Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga, Ica, Perú.
Jorge Luis Magallanes-Magallanes
Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga, Ica, Perú.
Mario Humberto Taípe Cancho
Universidad Nacional de Cañete, San Vicente de Cañete, Perú.

Published 2026-04-01

Keywords

  • Water quality,
  • electrical conductivity,
  • germination,
  • seeds,
  • physicochemical parameters,
  • toxicity
    • ...More
    Less

Copyright (c) 2026 Juan Saldivar-Villarroel, Edwin Guido Vicente-Paucar, Raymunda Verónica Cruz-Martinez, Luis Felipe Bendezu-Diaz, Jorge Luis Magallanes-Magallanes, Mario Humberto Taípe Cancho

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Saldivar-Villarroel, J., Vicente-Paucar, E. G., Cruz-Martinez, R. V., Bendezu-Diaz, L. F., Magallanes-Magallanes, J. L., & Taípe Cancho, M. H. (2026). Impact of Cañete River water on germination parameters of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.). Revista De Investigaciones Altoandinas - Journal of High Andean Research, 28. https://doi.org/10.18271/ria.2026.713

Abstract

Water quality is a determining factor in germination and in the assessment of ecotoxic effects on agricultural crops. This study evaluated the impact of water from the lower basin of the Cañete River on the germination and initial growth of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) using standardized bioassays as an environmental quality indicator. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate, ammonium, and total phosphorus) were analyzed at five sampling points: Puente Catapalla, Puente San Jerónimo, Puente Socci, Puente Clarita, and Boca de Río. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was applied with six treatments and five replications. Through serial dilutions (100% to 6.25%), germination percentage, hypocotyl elongation, root growth, and germination index were evaluated as an integrated toxicity indicator. Results showed that water from Puente Clarita recorded the lowest germination index (62.33%) and root growth (36.77%), with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) compared to the control, evidencing mild phytotoxicity. Although physicochemical parameters remained within the limits established by Peruvian environmental regulations (MINAM), a negative impact on the initial development of Lactuca sativa L. was observed. It is concluded that the germination bioassay is a sensitive tool for detecting sublethal effects not identified by physicochemical analysis, contributing to environmental monitoring and sustainable water resource management in the lower basin of the Cañete River.

pdf (Spanish)

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