Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACT OF LIMESTONE MINING ACTIVITY ON CROP GROWTH, PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND YIELD

Md. Ajaz Ali Khan, P. Prabhu Prasadini, Ramesh Thatikunta and B. Urmila Devi

Abstract

Limestone mining activity emanates dust which gets deposited on the plant parts like leaves, shoots, flowers and on whole plant over a period of time close to the mining activity. A study was conducted on the impact of limestone mining activity of cement industry on growth, physiological parameters and yield of redgram and black gram in areas close to (< I km) and away (1 km) from the mining activity. Plants in the vicinity of the mining activity were shorter with less number of nodes. Chlorophyll content, leaf temperature and diffusive resistance were slightly higher in plants close to the mining activity. In general the changes due to .mining activity in plant growth and physiological parameters were not significant and were not to the extent of effecting crop yield.