Comparative morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of maize (Zea maize L.) grown under chromium (VI) stress and its control by using plant extracts

Abstract

In the present research work, the impact of plant extracts (orange and banana peels extract) on the growth of maize plant grown under the stress of Cr (VI) was studied in pot experiment. Different growth parameters such as plant height root and shoot length and biomass were studied after 45 days of seed germination. Moreover, various physiological attributes such as total chlorophyll content (CHL) and reducing sugar (SUG) were studied. While, biochemical traits i.e., total protein content (TPC), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were also studied after 45th days. The results revealed that the soil amendments with orange peels extract at different concentration (2, 4, 6 and 8%) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the growth of the maize plant as compared to the respective positive control (300 and 500 mg kg-1). While, application of banana peels extract exhibited negative impact on the growth of maize plant over negative (no treatment) and positive control (300 and 500 mg kg1). Furthermore, physiological attributes was significantly enhanced by adding orange peels extract in Cr(VI) rich soil as compared to positive control. Whereas, biochemical activities were increased by hexavalent chromium stress, it was reduced significantly with the application of orange peels extract. Thus, orange peels extract could be used as soil amendments to control Cr(VI) stress in cultivating areas of maize. However, further studies were required in field to study the impact of orange peels extract on the growth and physiology of maize plant grown in Cr(VI) rich soil.