Shilpa K.J.*, Raghudas J., Sahana B.R. *Department of Botany, Mangalore University, Jnana Kaveri P.G. Centre Chikka Aluvara -571232, Kodagu, Karnataka, India (Manuscript received 8 September 2023; accepted for publication 18 April 2024) Abstract. The study aimed to investigate the eff