Morphological and Biochemical Responses of Helianthus annuus L. to Chromium Contaminated Soil from Sukinda Mining Area (Odisha, India)

Helianthus annuusL. is a crop of interest because of its shorter growing season. However the yield potential is affected by chromium toxicity. The chromium toxicity also affects its morphological and biochemical parameters. Sunflower is highly chromium sensitive plant and acts as chromium toxicity indicator. In our study an attempt has been taken to investigate the effect of chromium contaminated soil of Sukinda mining area of Odisha, on morphological and biochemical responses of Helianthus annuusL. Different concentration of contaminated soil along with control soil were taken as a measure of chromium toxicity on plants. Among the parameters taken, it was showed that the accumulation of chromium was more in roots than shoots, because chromium translocated into the shoots from the roots. May be it was the main cause for poor results obtained in physical and biochemical parameters. In almost all treatments and days of respective observations taken, the physical, biochemical parameters are declining with the increase in chromium contamination (i. e. from control to 25 %, 50 % and pure contaminated soil).