Foliar Response of Ipomea pes-tigridis L. to Coal-Smoke Pollution

Authors : R. B. Verma, - Mahmooduzzafar, Tariq Omar Siddiqi, M. Iqbal

Pages : 413-417

View : 17 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 9999-12-31

Article Type : Makaleler

Abstract :Air pollutants emitted from Badarpur Thermal Power Plant, New Delhi, influenced the foliar features of a common weed, Ipomea pes-tigridis L., as observed at distances 0.5, 2, 6, 12 and 16 km from the emission source. Observations recorded at the pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering stages of plant growth indicated that the stomatal pore size, number of stomata, and stomatal index on both surfaces of leaves decreased near the source of pollution. Compared with the control, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents decreased significantly under pollution stress. Rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance dropped drastically, whereas CO2 level in the mesophyll increased at the polluted sites. The maximum adverse effects were observed at site B, situated 2 km from the emission source.
Keywords : Ipomea pes-tigridis, coal-smoke pollution, photosynthesis, stomata