Hyper accumulation of cadmium in Phyllanthus amarus L. a medicinal plant

Phyllanthus amarus L. treated with different concentration of Cd (w/w) in pot, revealed high accumulation of Cd in plant. The root and shoot growth of plant decrease with the increasing concentration (w/w) of Cd from50 to 80ppm, while up to 50 ppm growth of plant was unaffected up to 60DAS. Dry biomass of the plant was more influenced as compared to the growth under increased Cd concentrations. Qualitative phytochemical screening of alkaloid, tannins and flavonoids in Phyllanthus amarus L. showed that alkaloid production was more as compared to tannins and flavonoids. Maximum proline content was recorded at 50 to 60ppm Cd treated plant after 60DAS. APX and CAT activity (U/mg protein) was increased in fresh leaf of the plant under Cd treated plant Phyllanthus amarus L. up to 30- 60ppm over the control. In the plant, maximum Cd accumulated in leaf followed by shoot and root after30DAS.