Full Length Research Paper
Metabolic responses of
Psidium guajava L. trees
irrigated with polluted water
Hemada M. and El-Darier S.*
Abstract
The main objective of the
present study was to clarify
the main possible effects of
waste water from El-Wafaeyya
drain (polluted site) on
some primary and secondary
metabolites, some nutrient
and heavy metals,
photosynthetic pigments as
well as fruit quality of
seedy Psidium guajava
trees irrigated with
polluted water exhibited
high accumulation of
Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Co and
Cd compared to that
irrigated with control
water.
On the other hand,
total photosynthetic
pigments were significantly
inferior in P. guajava
leaves irrigated with
polluted water compared to
that of the control.The
higher content of total
protein together with total
sugars was found in leaves
of control site. High
content of proline, free
amino acids, antioxidants,
total
phenolics, total flavonoids
and tanninswere
recorded in tree leaves
treated with polluted water.
The reverse was true
for total alkaloids and
saponins content.
Regarding fruits, the negative
effect was concentrated on
the economic yield and
number of fruits rather than
fruit weight and size.
Similarly, irrigation with
polluted water caused lower
water content, total
proteins, total
carbohydrates and vitamin A
and C but higher dietary
fibers.
Key words: Water
pollution, guava, secondary
metabolites, heavy metals,
fruit quality.
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