Impact of Elevated Soil Temperature on Physiological Parameters of Tea Plant Growing Adjacent to Gas Flaring Site

Abstract

Gas flaring is now recognized as a major environmental problem. Smoking flare may be a significant contributor to overall particulate emissions. It also results in production of excessive heat in the nearby areas. The present investigation aims to study the impact of elevated soil temperature on physiological parameters of tea plant growing adjacent to Gas flaring site. The experimental plot was laid out in 5 x 2 factorial RCBD with two factors viz. different distances from the flare site and two seasons in two different tea gardens adjacent to Kathaloni OCS and Merbil Majuli OCS 6 in Dibrugarh district of Assam in 2019-20. Plant and soil samples were collected and estimation of some select plant physiological parameters was done. Significant increase in soil temperature and decrease in soil moisture content was observed in distance closer to the flare pit. The result of the study revealed that there was a gradual decline in relative turgidity, specific leaf weight, plucking point density, stomatal count, leaf area measurement, polyphenol content, chlorophyll content, caffeine content but an increase in water saturation deficit of the green tea leaves on plants existing at a distance moving closer to the flare pit. A significant increase in rain flushing season as compared to autumn was observed in all the plant parameters except water saturation deficit.