Effect of heavy metals on morphological and flowering parameters of African marigold (Tagetes erecta)

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of heavy metals on morphological and flowering parameters of African marigold. The study includes the spiking of heavy metals lead and chromium at various concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm of each heavy metals are used), treated sewage water contaminated soil and control as treatments. The experiment was conducted as pot culture experiments. The results revealed that the highest plant height (44.8 cm) was recorded in treated sewage water contaminated soils. The maximum number of primary branches (6.3) was observed in control plants while the flower bud initiation was on par in case of lead (50 mg kg-1), chromium (50 mg kg-1) and treated sewage water contaminated soil. The maximum flower size (5.1 cm) was noticed in treated sewage water contaminated soil.