EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Thus, plants which indicate some very specific conditions of the environment are called plant indicators. When a plant species or plant community acts as a measure of environmental conditions, it is referred to as biological indicator or bioindicator or phytoindicator.

Detailed explanation-2: -These are microorganisms or plants that serve as a measurement of an environmental condition. An indicator species can alert that there is a problem, such as a pest infestation. Or it can signal environmental conditions, such as the need for water. In short, indicator plants are the canaries in the coal mine.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ajuga, impatiens, and coleus are excellent plant watering indicators. They are susceptible to water loss and will exhibit obvious signs such as wilting and browning of leaf tips. This will tell you the area is dry and you need to water.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many plants contain their own indicators – turmeric, red cabbage juice and beetroot juice are three good examples. Other examples are tea and red grape juice. Hydrangea flowers are different colours depending on whether the soil is acid or alkali.

Detailed explanation-5: -INDICATOR CROPS. Some of the crops are known to be specific for the occurrence of symptoms of a particular deficient nutrient element exhibiting characteristic symptoms. Such crops are called as Indicator Crops for the deficiency of that particular element(s).