South Indian Journal of Biological Sciences

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Effect of Mercuric Chloride on some Morphophysiological Parameters Of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.


Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, St. Mary’s College, Thrissur, Kerala‐680020, India
2 Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala ‐ 673635, India
 

Trace elements are necessary for the normal metabolic functions of the plant, but at higher concentrations, these metals are toxic and may severely interfere with physiological and biochemical functions of the plants. Among the metals, Mercury has been recognized as highly toxic. It can affect growth and metabolism of plants in varying degrees depending on the concentration and tissue types of plant species. To elucidate the toxic effect of mercury, one of the most important traditional medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Hydrocotyl asiatica L.), was selected and studies were conducted by cultivating the plant in garden soil. The plants were treated with various concentrations of HgCl2 solution (10, 15, 20 and 25 μM). One time treatment was done and thereafter the plants were irrigated daily with known volume of water. Samples of ischolar_main, runner and leaves were collected at intervals of 5 days up to 25 days and parameters like morphological/physiological measurements, estimation of biomass and chlorophyll were followed. All the morphological parameters of mercuric chloride treated plants were found to be decreased as compared to control plants with 25 μM concentration of HgCl2. An elevated concentration of mercuric chloride also reduces the chlorophyll contents in the leaves of C. asiatica plants. This study revealed that injury due to mercuric chloride is more pronounced at higher concentration (25 μM) of 25th day of selected C. asiatica plants.

Keywords

Centella asiatica, Runner Length, Number of Roots per Node, Total Biomass, Tolerance Index Percentage, Chlorophyll Estimation.
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  • Effect of Mercuric Chloride on some Morphophysiological Parameters Of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.

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Authors

Snehalatha Valiya Rayiramkandathuveedu
Department of Botany, St. Mary’s College, Thrissur, Kerala‐680020, India
Jayaram Karinkallai Mannarakkal
Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala ‐ 673635, India

Abstract


Trace elements are necessary for the normal metabolic functions of the plant, but at higher concentrations, these metals are toxic and may severely interfere with physiological and biochemical functions of the plants. Among the metals, Mercury has been recognized as highly toxic. It can affect growth and metabolism of plants in varying degrees depending on the concentration and tissue types of plant species. To elucidate the toxic effect of mercury, one of the most important traditional medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Hydrocotyl asiatica L.), was selected and studies were conducted by cultivating the plant in garden soil. The plants were treated with various concentrations of HgCl2 solution (10, 15, 20 and 25 μM). One time treatment was done and thereafter the plants were irrigated daily with known volume of water. Samples of ischolar_main, runner and leaves were collected at intervals of 5 days up to 25 days and parameters like morphological/physiological measurements, estimation of biomass and chlorophyll were followed. All the morphological parameters of mercuric chloride treated plants were found to be decreased as compared to control plants with 25 μM concentration of HgCl2. An elevated concentration of mercuric chloride also reduces the chlorophyll contents in the leaves of C. asiatica plants. This study revealed that injury due to mercuric chloride is more pronounced at higher concentration (25 μM) of 25th day of selected C. asiatica plants.

Keywords


Centella asiatica, Runner Length, Number of Roots per Node, Total Biomass, Tolerance Index Percentage, Chlorophyll Estimation.

References