Impact of cement dust on the mineral and energy concentration of Psidium guayava

Abstract The impact of cement dust deposition on mineral and energy concentration of leaves of guava Psidium guayava growing in the vicinity of Churk Cement Factory situated at Churk, District-Mirzapur (India) was studied. Concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) were increased while energy content (cal g −1 dry weight) was reduced (12·3%) more in cement-dust-covered leaves than in dust-free leaves of Psidium guayava . Statistically it was found that the difference in the concentration of Ca, K, and P in dusty and dust-free leaves was highly correlated and significant with the amount of cement dust deposited (gm −2 leaf surface) on the leaf surface of P. guayava while the difference in the concentration of Na—although positively correlated—is not significant. Maximum values of concentrations of Ca, K, Na, P and energy were 5·20%, 0·48%, 0·25%, 0·15% and 4936·7 cal g −1 dry weight in dust-covered leaves and 3·50%, 0·30%, 0·018%, 0·12% and 5301·4 cal g −1 dry weight in dust-free leaves, respectively.