Abstract

The effect of various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 2.5, 12.5 and 62.5 µg g^-1) of Lanthanum as Lanthanum nitrate added to soil was studied on the content of foliar chlorophyll (Chl. ‘a’, Chl. ‘b’, Total chl.), soluble leaf protein, total phenol contents and peroxidase activity of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Lower applications (0.1 to 2.5 µg g^-1) of La resulted in enhancement in foliar chlorophyll contents (Chl. ‘a’, Chl. ‘b’, total chl.) and a decrement in soluble leaf protein and total phenol contents. A significant (at p = 0.05 level of significance) increase in the activity of peroxidase enzyme at higher concentrations (12.5 to 62.5 µg g^-1) of lanthanum was observed.

Key words: Lanthanum nitrate, foliar chlorophyll, total phenols, soluble leaf protein, POD activity, cowpea.