European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

INFLUENCE OF SODIUM CHROMATE TREATMENT ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF HORSE GRAM (DOLICHOS BIFLORUS LINN.)

*Jagpal K. and Vasantha Pillay S.

ABSTRACT

The Dolichos biflorus L. is a well-known medicinal plant in folklore for its medicinal properties. In herbal medicine the seeds of it are mainly used as tonic, astringent, diuretic, and are also recommended in asthma, bronchitis, urinary discharges, hiccoughs, ozoena, heart trouble and other diseases of brain. The main purpose of this study is to on Sodium Chromate (Na2Cro4) contamination in water, soil and plants is a serious health problem throughout the world. We studied the effect of aqueous solutions of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 and 3.0% Sodium Chromate on seed germination and seedling growth of D. biflorus at the end of 20days of treatment, significant reduction in root length, shoot length, seedling length, Rooting length/shoot length ratio (cm) and fresh weight, % of germination were observed at increasing Chromate concentration. Responded differently on all growth parameters viz shoot, root, seedling length, seedling dry weight and root / shoot ratio of D. biflorus. There was also reducing rate of seed germination of D. biflorus with all treatment of chromium was recorded. The treatment of chromium at 3% produced significant 2.4 cm length of plant with effects on root, shoot and seedling length of D. biflorus as compared to control. The reduction in the seedling dry weight of D. biflorus at 3% of Sodium chromate was reduced and was more prominent with the increase in concentration at 3% of Sodium Chromate treatments. Tolerance indices and seedling vigor index of 3% for chromium treatment decreased with the increase in chromium concentration in the substrate as compared to control. More reduction in seedling tolerance and seedling vigor indices percentage of D. biflorus was recorded at 1.0% for chromium treatment. There was further reduction in seedling vigor and tolerance indices of D. biflorus at 3% of Sodoium chromate concentration as compared to control.

Keywords: Sodium Chromate and Seedling growth; Root length; Shoot length and Leaf length.