Vegetos

Abstract

Present work deals with SO₂ pollution and its effect on chlorophyll and carotenoid content of some major legumes namely Vigna mungo L. cv.T-9, Pisum sativum L. cv. Arkil, Cajanus cajan L. cv. UPAS-120 and Cicer arietinum L. cv. Avrodhi. The plants were fumigated with four different concentrations of sulphur dioxide, viz. 653, 1306, 2612 and 3918 μg m⁻³ daily for 2 hrs. The analysis for Chlorophyll and Carotenoid contents was made at 40d and 80d of the plant age. Reduction in total chlorophyll content was maximum at 3918 μg m⁻³ in all four leguminous crops. Decrease in the value of chlorophyll a was found to be more than chlorophyll b. In Vigna mungo the reduction in chlorophyll was maximum followed by Pisum sativum, Cicer arietinum and Cajanus cajan. Reduction in carotenoid was maximum in Vigna mungo followed by Pisum sativum, Cicer arietinum and Cajanus cajan.