Impact of Flyash on Foliar Chemical and Biochemical Compositon of Naturally Occurring Ground Flora and its Possible Utilization for Growing Tree Crops

Attempts have been made to study the impact of flyash generated from Shaktinagar (UP) Thermal Power Plant on foliar chemical and biochemical parameters of Ipomea cornea, Cassia tora and Acaica nilotica naturally growing on flyash dyke. The present study also aims at assessing performance of different tree species planted in a 12 years old flyash dyke and ground cover development in the plantation area. From the results, it is apparent that flyash severely affects the plants by changing the chemical (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and biochemical (protein, carbohydrate, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid compositions). Protein, carbohydrates, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid decrease significantly with a significant increase of phenols of the plant species grown on flyash (N, P, K, Ca and Mg also decrease when compared to control). Since major part of the ash comprises Si0₂, AI₂ 0₃ and oxides of iron and other toxic metals, these oxides are absorbed by the leaves through stomata when the ashes are deposited on the leaves and also through uptake of the oxides by ischolar_main systems. The increase of phenols helps in imparting resistance to the plants against stress conditions and insect attacks. The results also reveal that although the flyash is refractory in nature, it can well respond to some species if planted after its stabilization which normally takes 4 to 5 years. Species like Gmelina arobrea, Grevillea pteridifolia and Emblica officinalis are more suitable for planting this site both with respect to amelioration and biomass production. However, other species likeAlbiziaprocera, Albizia lebbek, Azadirachta indica, Acacia catechu, Prosopis juliflora etc. may also do well. Planting of these species results induced succession development in which Tephrosia- Desmodium-Polygonum have been found to be the stable community and these three species share the major niche space.