Estimation of physio-chemical properties of different plant parts of Casuarina equisetifolia L. and Swietenia macrophylla King

Abstract

Physiochemical analysis of fresh leaf, dried leaf, bark and roots of Casuarina equisetifolia and Swietenia macrophylla was carried out to find the pH, EC, total phenols, total proteins and total carbohydrates. From the study it was found that pH was the highest in fresh leaf of both the tree species. The EC was recorded the highest in root and bark of C. equisetifolia and S. macrophylla respectively. As for the total phenols, the highest phenol content was recorded in the roots of both the tree species. Total proteins showed the highest in bark and dried leave of both the tree species. And for the total carbohydrates, the root and bark recorded the highest in C. equisetifolia and S. macrophylla. The results indicated that pH, EC, total carbohydrates and total proteins exhibited more in S. macrophylla when compared to C. equisetifolia. However, total phenols exhibited more in C. equisetifolia than S. macrophylla. S. macrophylla is more compatible as intercrop for agroforestry system for having high carbohydrates and protein with small amount of phenols which can hinder the growth of agricultural crops in future.