Ipomoea carnea Jacq. for Immobilization of Solid Wastes

Ipomoea carnea Jacq. (Family: Convolvulaceae) is an exotic weed distributed in tropical countries of Asia and America. In India, it is a common weed in the fields and has probably got introduced along with cultivation. General survey of vegetation showed that this species formed pure or mixed stands in practically all kinds of habitats common in an urban environment, revealing its wide ecological amplitude. Systematic study was undertaken to assess the range of tolerance of this species to various environmental stresses. Present paper reports the response of Ipomoea carnea to solid wastes containing heavy metals like copper. The morphological form of the plant, with very strong horizontal suckers, helps in its firm anchorage in different types of soils. This property and its natural assets, preventing its harvesting or grazing, are useful in its profuse growth on wastelands. Organic waste in soil helps in increasing its growth, in spite of the soil containing heavy metals like copper. Its capacity for gregarious growth at various unfavourable habitats is a pointer for its possible utility in greening such habitats which keep increasing with urbanization and industrialization.