Spectral Reflectance Properties of Gossypium hirsutum Leaves after Heavy Metal Toxicity

Abstract

The study demonstrated a link between heavy metal induced stress and optical properties of the leaves of Gossypum hirstumu This work was conducted using the pot culture experiment. Three replications and four concentrations of Chromium (5%, 10%, 20% and 35%) with a control to assess the growth of plants were used. This experiment was conducted till 80 days. On 80 day the experiment was terminated and the leaves were plucked and air-dried. Portion of the air-dried, powdered cotton leaves was used for the Fourier Transformed Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectral analysis and the remaining portion was used for analyzing the biochemical constituents of the leaves (chlorophyll a, b, and total C and N contents).