EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE SOIL ON THE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF PEDILANTHUS TITHYMALOIDES VAR. GREEN –A POTENTIAL PETRO CROP Authors: Rani A
ABSTRACT
A decline in petroleum supply in recent years has stimulated a search for alternative sources
of energy. Biomass has proved to be clean and universal source to harvest solar energy into
usable forms. Certain plants produce low molecular weight hydrocarbons which could be
converted into petroleum like substances. However, as these plants grow in semi-arid
conditions, their productivity is low and the present study is an effort to improve the growth
and productivity of one such plant.
Pedilanthus tithymaloides var. Green is one such petro plant which besides yielding
valuable petroleum products also has pharmaceutical importance. Various dosages of
nitrogen fertilizer (30-240kg/ha) were supplemented to monitor the growth and productivity
of the plant. Maximum plant growth was observed at 60 kg/ha. Maximum dry weight was
recorded at 90 kg/ha. 240 kg/ha nitrogen increased hexane extractables to the maximum.
Total sugars and chlorophylls were also maximum at 60 kg/ ha nitrogen supplementation.
Keywords: Petro crops, Nitrogen, growth, biocrude, chlorophyll, sugars Publication date: 01/01/2025 https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/January/MS_IJBPAS_2025_7537.pdfDownload PDFhttps://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.1.7537