Changes in photosynthetic pigments in relation to soils contaminated with industrial activities in Cassia occidentalis L.

Abstract

Rapid industrialization in Bhagwanpur industrial area (Uttarakhand) severely affected soil. Various industries such as cement industry, electroplating industries, small scale steel industries are contaminating environment in several ways. Efforts were made to study the biochemical changes in response to three different soils in Cassia occidentalis L. CRD pot culture experiment was laid out via using three different soil types viz. industrial area soil, control soil and mixed soil (50% control soil: 50% industrial area soil). Biochemical constituents like proteins and photosynthetic pigments viz. chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophylls and carotenoids were analysed on 30th day of culture. Significant differences (0.05%) were observed among different soils used. Contaminated soils drastically reduced pigments as well as protein content. Maximum protein, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b ratio were observed in plants raised in control soil. In contrast, the carotenoid content was maximum in plants grown in mixed soil.