EFFECT OF IMIDACLOPRID ON GERMINATION ANDBIOCHEMICAL NATURE OF COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA L.WALP) AND SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.)R.S. Oke and R.S. ZunjarraoAbstract Indiscriminate use of pesticides in agricultural fields affect the soil quality. One of the effective remedies toreduce excessive pesticides in soil is use of plants that can degrade pesticides. Present work was performedto study the effect of imidacloprid on seed germination and Biochemical parameters of Cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L. Walp) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Proteins, Carbohydrates, Stress indicators andPhenolics of plants increased with increase in imidacloprid concentration. Photosynthetic pigments reducedslightly in treated plants. The results strongly suggest that Cowpea and Sunflower can thrive well in highimidacloprid concentrations with meager changes in their biochemical compositions. Thus, these plantscan be potential members of the phyto-restoration system which can be used to reduce imidacloprid insoils. Farmers can undertake cultivation of these plants on an imidacloprid contaminated soil to restore itsquality. |