ANKIT SAMUEL SINGH* AND EUGENIA P. LAL
Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences,
Prayagraj-211 007 (U. P.), India
*(e-mail : ankit.samuel2010@gmail.com; Mobile : 8004364092)
(Received : October 17, 2019; Accepted : November 18, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Heavy metal toxicity causes different harmful effects on plants. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the growth responses of Ocimum basilicum L. (Sweet Basil) under different levels of environmentally alarming metal (Cd) with four concentrations viz., 20, 40, 60 and 80 ppm per kg soil and their combination with organic liquid formulation, jeevamrutha. Results established that the shoot length, number of branches and leaves in all the successive intervals were reduced by the treatment of different Cd concentrations. It evidently proved that Cd caused prominent oxidative damages that ultimately resulted in retardation of growth in plants. However, the plants treated with organic liquid formulation, jeevamrutha showed significant enhancement in their growth in all the successive intervals. The outcomes suggested for the positive role of jeevamrutha in amelioration of growth parameters of sweet basil under Cd contaminated soil.
Key words : Sweet basil, heavy metal, Cd, organic formulation, growth