A Note on Phyto Analysis of P. juliflora (Swartz) DC.

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. is an exotic plant having potential to grow in drought, salinity, extremes of soil pH and heavy metal stress, that is the stress conditions in which the growth and productivity of other plants are most adversely affected. P. juliflora (Sw.) DC. is having phytochemicals with varying biological activities. Nevertheless, invasive alien species pose a threat to ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, water availability and beauty of natural areas over the world. The current report encompasses phytochemical analysis and enzyme assay at different developmental stages of P. juliflora (Sw.) DC. A variety of phytochemicals and enzymes including those involved in antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activities contribute to the survival of the plant under adverse conditions. Activity of the enzymes involved in antioxidants activity was greater in older leaves probably helping the plants withstanding the deleterious effects of oxidative stresses increasing with age. However, accumulation of secondary metabolites (tannins, total phenols and phytic acid) in P. juliflora (Sw.) DC. is greater in younger leaves and internodes in comparison to older ones. Sodium and calcium percentage increases, whereas potassium and chloride decreases with age in leaves as well as internodes. P. juliflora can help for the removal of sodium and chloride and therefore making it useful in improvement/reclamation of such soils, as it can grow in soils rich in such salts. Manoeuvring the antioxidant systems by altering the regulatory processes controlling their expression may provide an additional means of improvement.