Response of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) to toxic heavy metal cadmium.

ABSTRACT

Cadmium at 200 mg kg-1 soil and above concentrations was fatal as growth was inhibited ultimately leading to death of Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt.). The surviving plants at 50 and 100 mg kg-1 treatments also exhibited pronounced retardation of growth and biomass yield. There was considerable reduction in the level of essential oil in herbage and oil quality deteriorated. Cadmium accumulation profile showed that highest accumulation was in root, followed by stem, leaf sheath and leaf. Very high accumulation in root for higher doses appeared to be the reason for fatality.