Response of Maize to Cement Dust Pollution

The study area was confined to the prevailing wind direction of Kalyanpur Cement Limited, Banjari, Rohtas, Bihar (240 57' North latitude and 840 East longitude) about 200 km south from Patna to know the response of maize (Zea mays) to cement dust pollution to growth parameters, chlorophyll, nutrients and characteristics of grains. Growth parameters were found higher on each sampling date of the control maize plant than the polluted one. The chlorophyll of control and polluted maize plant were compared and it was found that a maximum reduction of 14.71 per cent of total chlorophyll was recorded at the age of 60 days. Nitrogen and phosphorus was comparatively higher on control maize than polluted one where potassium was reverse. Characteristics of grain of maize had higher value in control maize than polluted maize grains except carbohydrate and calcium.