Formerly International Journal of Basic and Applied Agricultural Research

Interactive impact of heavy metals and mycorrhizal fungi on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum Linn.)

SHARMILA CHAUHAN, MOHINDER SINGH, SNEHA DOBHAL, DEEKSHA SEMWAL and PRAVEEN
Pantnagar Journal of Research, Volume - 22, Issue - 1 ( January-April 2024)

Published: 2024-04-30

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Abstract


Capsicum annuum Linn. plants were raised in pots containing soil, treated with various concentrations of Cd and Pb for assessment of impact of heavy metals on growth, quality and yield parameters. In pot experiment, the graded doses of Cd and Pb exerted significant influence on the morphological characters like leaf area, number of branches and leaves, plant height, fruit yield, above ground biomass (AGB) and dry root weight. Highest dose combination of Cd40Pb200 exerted maximum adverse influences. The highest doses of Cd40 and Pb200 resulted in minimum leaf area (10.35cm2), number of branches (2.19), number of leaves (190.00), plant height (40.06cm), fruit yield/plant (343.2g/plant), AGB (16.39g) and dry root weight (1.39g/ plant). This high dose treatment combination also caused 49.15% reduction in fruit yield and 21.81% decrease in the above ground biomass. The lowest chlorophyll contents were found (1.706mg/g) in Cd40Pb200 combination as compared to 2.059mg/g in control. Ascorbic acid content in fruits was increased considerably with increase in levels of Cd and Pb which ranged between 113.19 to 120.31mg/100g. Mycorrhizal fungi inoculations for bio-remedified of toxic effect of Cd and Pb, resulted in lower build-up of these metals in soil and various plant parts of capsicum.


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