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Allometry ofUrtica urens in polluted and unpolluted habitats

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Abstract

The allometry ofUrtica urens (small nettle), an important medicinal plant in many countries, growing in an area near pollution sources and an area away from pollution sources was determined. The allometric coefficients were determined for nonlinear relationships between plant height, stem width, root length, petiole length, leaf dry weight, petiole dry weight, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and specific leaf area. The slopes of the linear equations were determined for the above parameters. The results showed that there is a difference in the allometry of different parts ofU. urens growing in these two areas. Air pollutants reduced the plant height, stem width, root length and petiole length and increased leaf parameters. The same pattern of growth was reflected by comparing the slopes of the straight lines of the parts of the plants growing in the two areas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Hashemite University, 13115, Zarqa, Jordan

    Ali Elkarmi & Rajaa Abu Eideh

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  1. Ali Elkarmi
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  2. Rajaa Abu Eideh
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Correspondence to Ali Elkarmi.

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Elkarmi, A., Eideh, R.A. Allometry ofUrtica urens in polluted and unpolluted habitats. J. Plant Biol. 49, 9–15 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030783

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03030783

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