Effect of Light Stress on Germination and Growth Parameters of Corchorus olitoriusi, Celosia argentea, Amaranthus cruentus, Abelmoschus esculentus and Delonix regia

Abstract

Seeds of Abelmoschus esculentus, Amaranthus cruentus, Celosia argentea, Corchorus olitorius and Delonix regia were germinated under light and dark conditions. The germination parameters revealed that germination was higher in seeds of A. cruentus and C. olitorus under light while the seeds of D. regia germinated more in the dark. However, no major difference was observed in the germination of C. argentea and A. esculentus in light and darkness. The above findings point out that germination is species dependent. It also indicated that Amaranthus cruentus and C. olitorius adapt better to light while D. regia adapt better to dark condition. The shade plants of A. esculentus and D. regia were found to be taller than those under direct sunlight. However, seedlings of A. cruentus, C. olitorius and C. argentea were found to be taller those under direct sunlight than in the shade regimes. This could suggest that these plants have higher tolerance of heat with respect to A. esculentus and D. regia. Shade plants of A. esculentus, C. argentea, C. olitorius and D. regia exhibited lower leaf area which is an adaptation to maximize light interception. Higher leaf area was observed in the shade plant of A. cruentus may be an adaptation to maximize the little light available to the plant under shade. These findings revealed plants adaptation to cope with stress in the environment.