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C. T. Anitha ¹, M. P. Subin ¹, P. D. Sidhimol ¹, N. P. Krishnapriya ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika-680 566, Thrissur (Dt.), Kerala, IN

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of soil is a significant environmental problem and has its negative impact on human health and agriculture. Treatment of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) with different concentrations of chromium (III) oxide (Cr₂O₃) decreased the germination and early growth of plants. This effect was dose-dependent and was more significant at higher doses of Cr₂O₃. Chromium trioxide application significantly retarded germination, morphological and biochemical parameters compared to untreated control plants. Application of Pseudomonas fluorescens reduced the inhibitory effect of Cr₂O₃ by increasing the germination vigour at various level of concentrations. These results help to understand possible use of Pseudomonas fluorescens in bioremediation.

Keywords

Toxic Effects of Chromium, Vigna unguiculata, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bioremediation.

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P. D. Sidhimol ¹, C. T. Anitha ¹, P. M. Sabeena ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika-680 566, Thrissur (dt), Kerala, IN

Abstract

Pollution by heavy metals is one of the important threatening factors in the world. The present study was intended to analyse the effect of lead (Pb) on seed germination, growth and chlorophyll content of Vigna radiata (L). Wilczek. Germination parameters like germination percentage, radicle and hypocotyl length, vigour index and growth index were studied, and found to be decreased with increasing concentrations. Phytotoxicity level increased at elevated concentrations. At higher concentrations, severe morphological symptoms and reduction in chlorophyll content were observed. However, by treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens, a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, a significant increase in all parameters was observed.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Lead, Vigna radiata, Bioremediation, Pseudomonas fluorescens.

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M. P. Subin ¹, C. T. Anitha ¹, P. D. Sidhimol ¹

Affiliations
1 Post Graduate Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika-680 566, Thrissur, Kerala, IN

Abstract

In the present study, physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics of different sources of surface and groundwaters in Tripunithura, a suburb of Ernakulam district, Kerala were determined during February 2011. The objective of the study was to asses the suitability of water for human consumption and other domestic purposes. Water samples from three different densely populated localities were collected and analysed for various parameters using standard methods. The physico-chemical parameters of home well water and pond water, with the exception of iron value in pond water, were satisfactory whereas bore well water and river water exhibited all the values as exceeding maximum permissible limit with a few exceptions of sulphate and dissolved oxygen in bore well water and nitrate in river water. The microbiological analysis revealed that with the exception of bore well water, all other waters fail to satisfy the prescribed standards set for drinking water. Therefore, the study revealed that the entire water samples investigated in the present study failed to qualify the prescribed standards for drinking water either in the physico-chemical aspects or in the microbiological aspects or both.

Keywords

Water Quality, Groundwater, Surface Water, Drinking Water Standards.

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P. D. Sidhimol ¹, C. T. Anitha ¹, T. P. Praseedha ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, S. N. College, Nattika-680 566, Distt. Thrissur, Kerala, IN
2 Kerala Agriculture University, Mannuthy, Distt. Thrissur, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Allelopathy is the direct influence of a chemical released from one plant on the development and growth of another plant. Chemicals with allelopathic potential exist invariably in all plant tissues including leaves, flowers, stems, rhizomes and ischolar_mains. Processes such as volatilization, ischolar_main exudation, leaching and decomposition of plant residues release them into environment. Accumulation of more allelochemicals from weeds in fields causes soil sickness, reduced nitrification and nutrient uptake resulting in loss of crop yield. The present study has been conducted to examine the allelopathic effects of Grangia maderaspatena Frosk. on seed germination of three varieties of rice, i.e., Aiswarya, Kanchana and Harsha.

Keywords

Allelopathic Effects, Grangia maderaspatena, Rice Varieties, Seed Germination.

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A. R. Raju ¹, C. T. Anitha ¹, P. D. Sidhimol ¹, K. J. Rosna ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika-680 566, Trissur, Kerala, IN

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a novel, efficient, ecofriendly, low priced and an emerging method of biotechnology for environmental pollution management. In this technology, plants are used to improve the status of environment. In this work, an attempt has been made to remove organic and inorganic pollution load of domestic wastewater. A culture of aquatic plant, Lemna minor was grown in the pond water. Water from the same pond was filled in a cement tank and Lemna was grown for a stipulated interval of seven days. The domestic wastewater quality was evaluated before and after the culture by analysing its physicochemical properties in order to know the improvement in quality of water. The results of analysis show that phytoremediation of wastewater occurs more rapidly in tank water as compared to the pond water. The increase in biomass of Lemna minor and the physicochemical analysis have proved that Lemna minor is a suitable aquatic plant for phytoremediation of domestic wastewater, which improved the quality of domestic wastewater by absorbing organic and inorganic pollutants.

Keywords

Phytoremediation, Domestic Wastewater, Lemna minor, Biotechnology, Pollution Management.

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