Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACT OF LIMESTONE MINING ACTIVITY ON NUTRIENT CONTENT OF RED GRAM AND BLACK GRAM

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

Abstract

A study was conducted on the impact of limestone mining activity of cement industry on nutrient content of red gram and black gram. For the purpose observations were made in fields close to (< I km) and away ( I km) from the mining activity. Nitrogen and phosphorous contents recorded were low in plants grown within I km from the mining activity compared to those in I km* zone. Unlike N and P, higher values of potassium, calcium and magnesium were recorded in plants close to the mining activity compared to those in I km* zone. Comparison of the mean values of nutrient content of plants of the red gram and black gram near and far from the mining activity did not give any specific indication of adverse effect of dust fall on the plants. No deficiency or toxic symptoms were noticed in the crops studied.