Studies on the effect of sodium arsenate & cadmium chloride on Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock 1877

Abstract

Cadmium and Arsenic are heavy metals although not common in our environment, its threat in certain places are aggravated due to anthropogenic factors. To know its critical role on plants the investigation was made using Na₂HAsO₄ and CdCl₂ treatment on Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock 1877. The observations were made after 14 days of treatment. The changes were noted. In both cases, the treated cells exhibited gradual disruption of cell wall and cell membrane. The chlorophyll content initially increased and finally decreased due to the notable destruction of chloroplasts in both treated cells. A profuse number of akinetes were observed at 100 ppm and 150 ppm of Na₂HAsO₄ and CdCl₂ treated media. Decrease in protein content was started at 100 ppm in both cases. The lipid content initially decreased at 50 ppm and at 100 ppm lipid profile increased in terms of toleration to the Na₂HAsO₄ and CdCl₂ stress. Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock 1877 exhibited more sensitivity to CdCl₂ stress & showing abrupt changes in chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b production. The carotenoid production shown more sensitivity in Na₂HAsO₄ stress. Total phenol production was decreased initially and at 200 ppm CdCl₂ stress had shown significant enhancement than the control set but at the 200 ppm of Na₂HAsO₄ shown inhibitory effect.