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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of simulated acid rain (SAR) on the growth of Celosia argentea L. The plants were subjected to various levels of simulated acid rain acidified at pH 5.6 (control), 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, and 2.0 for a period of six weeks under ambient conditions. The different pH levels were prepared using sulfuric acid, a pH meter, and distilled water to get the desired level of acidity. The results showed that when plants were treated with SAR, growth indices such as number of leaves, height of the shoot, the fresh and dry weight, leaf area, and stem girth were significantly reduced in plants exposed to SAR when compared with the control treatment. There was a gradual decrease in the chlorophyll content index as the acid level increased. Plants treated with pH 5.6 and pH 5.0 SAR exhibited excellent growth and development. Simulated acid rain (SAR) induced morphological changes such as reduced growth of leaf size, leaf surface area, shoot and root growth in Celosia argentea. It is concluded that growth was adversely affected when Celosia argentea was exposed to simulated acid rain with pH values of 4.0 and below.
