Alam, S; Wahid, MS; Ali, A; Ahmad, I; Bangash, FK
Soil of Colocacia esculenta Linn was collected from the
area of Musakhel Swat District and investigated for pH,micronutrients and macronutrients. pH was
found in the range of 6.7 to 7.5 which is slightly acidic to neutral. Sodium, potassium and
calcium were found in the range of 9.104-16.461 mg/ L, 7.443-19.107 mg/ L and 9.318-20.206 mg/ L
respectively. When the calcium contents are low in the plant body then it could cause the rapid
disintegration and disfiguring of growing tips of roots and shoots. The low level of calcium in
the soil causes reduction in the translocation of carbohydrates, chlorosis, toxicity of
meristematic tissues, expansion of cell, and decolourisation of roots. Magnesium was in the range
of 12.216 to 16.133 mg/ L. At low quantity, magnesium could cause chlorosis and appearance of
patches on the leaves and subsequently plant death. Iron was found in the range of 6.037 to
13.315 mg/ L. Copper was found from 1.789 to 4.268 mg/ L. The functions of copper in plants
include catalysis for respiration, enzyme constitution, chlorophyll synthesis, and carbohydrate
and protein metabolism. Zinc and cadmium were found in the range of 5.07 to 6.677 mg/ L and 1.428
to 4.316 mg/ L respectively, which is lower than the desirable level for a fertile soil.
Therefore it may cause diseases like necrosis, wilting, red orange coloration of leaves and
general reduction in growth. The tap root of Colocacia esculenta Linn, collected from Musakhel
Swat District, was investigated for micronutrients and macronutrients. Sodium, calcium,
magnesium, copper, zinc, cadmium, aluminium and iron were found in the range of 5.223 to 18.42
mg/ L, 18.123 to 22.43 mg/ L, 6.124 to 12.22 mg/ L, 3.041 to 6.342 mg/ L, 2.1 to 8.6 mg/ L, 0.
120 to 0.432 mg/ L, 0.5421 to 3.512 mg/ L and 5.123 to 15.33 mg/ L, respectively.