Pantnagar Journal of Research

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 (10.35cm^{2), 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.}