Effects of SO2 Chlorophyll Content and Leaf Temperature on Leaves of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) genotypes

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season 2013 and 2014 at Industrial area Jagdishpur (Amethi) and non-industrial area Kumarganj (Faizabad) of Uttar Pradesh. Three varieties of potato namely, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Bahar and Kufri Anand were sown in sandy loam soil at three dates of sowing viz., 15th October, 1st November, 15th November in split plot design with four replications. Leaf temperature was measured on fortnightly basis with Tele-thermometer. Chlorophyll content was determined at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after sowing (DAS). SO2 in industrial area was measured using gas sampling device at quality lab of Indogulf Jagdishpur. It was found that Kufri Chandramukhi variety possess highest chlorophyll content at 45 DAS sown on 1st November of both industrial and non-industrial area, with the existing maximum concentration of sulphur dioxide (81.0 micro g/m3) at 750 meter distance from the point source of emission. The maximum chlorophyll in variety Kufri Chandramukhi sown on 1st November in industrial area was 2.0 as compared to 2.20 in non-industrial area. Variety Kufri Chandramukhi though possess highest chlorophyll content both in industrial and non-industrial areas, 10% reduction in chlorophyll was recorded in industrial as compared to non-industrial area due to pollutants exposure such as SO2. 30°C leaf temperature possesses highest chlorophyll content (1.78 mg/g) in industrial whereas 28°C leaf temperature possesses highest chlorophyll content (1.96 mg/g) in non-industrial area. It is also revealed that leaf temperature of potato crop of industrial area is higher as compared to non-industrial area.