KAJAL S. SHARMA AND VAISHNAVI V. MORE
Abstract
As the construction around India is increasing so is the demand for cement but in this demand of cement the cement pollution in those area is on rise. To assess the effect of cement dust on the plants of such an area this study was conducted. The present investigation focusses on the morphological and biochemical parameters of Bougainvillea spectabilis willd. belonging to the family Nyctaginaceae. In the morphological study a significant decrease in the stomatal index and frequency was observed. Trichomes were observed more on upper epidermis than on the lower epidermis and trichome density of the experimental leaves was higher than the control. Biochemical study showed increase in pH, chlorophyll-a and proline of experimental leaf also a significant increase in contents of calcium, iron and magnesium was observed. A decrease in the amount of chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll was observed.Soil and dust pH at experimental site increased showing alkaline nature of the site. The results proved that cement-dust has a significant effect on Bougainvillea spectabilis willd. both micromorphologically and biochemically. The plant is tolerant to cement dust because despite the pollution the plant was still flowering.