Analysis of minerals under different water stress levels in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex Nees

摘要

Medicinal plants have diverse use in the society from medicine to cosmetics to herbal foods with vast potential for their curative medicinal properties. Minerals are essential nutrient for plant metabolism and over all growth of the plants. The overall growth of the plant depends upon the availability of the water. The aim of this study was to determine the mineral content under different water stress levels in Andrographis paniculata. The homogenized leaf samples of controlled plants(Daily watered), treated T2 plants(watering 2supnd/sup day), T4 plants(watering on every 4supth/sup day), T7 plants(watering on every 7supth/sup day) were subjected to overnight HN0sub3/sub digestion and analyzed for the presence of Copper, Chromium, Iron, Aluminum, Zinc, Manganese and Phosphorous. With increase in water stress, element content deceased with varied fractions. The T2 treated plants, irrigated every second day, could withstand the water stress conditions without affecting minimum mineral content in Andrographis paniculata plants and T2 treatment has been chosen the best option to withstand water stress conditions.