Journal of Environmental Biology

Analysis of biological factors for determination of air pollution tolerance index of selected plants in

Yamuna Nagar, India

Manju Sharma, Neeraj Panwar, Pooja Arora, Jyoti Luhach and Smita Chaudhry*

Institute of Environmental Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra? 136119, India

*Corresponding Author email : manjusharma09@gmail.com

 Publication Data

Paper received:

30 August 2011

Revised received:

12 January 2012

Accepted:

19 March 2012

Abstract

Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) calculated for various plant species growing in vicinity of three different industrial areas (Paper mill, Sugar mill, Thermal Power Plant) and Yamuna River belt of Yamuna Nagar. Studies were carried out to determine the physiological response of ten plant species. The leaf samples collected from these plant species were used to determine their plant APTI by calculating the ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, pH, and relative water content for all selected sites. Highest pH, relative water content, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll was observed in Castor (9.86), Parthenium (96.99%), Ficus benghalensis (14.90 mg g^-1) and Amaranthus (7.08 mg g^-1) at Yamuna river, Thermal power plant, Yamuna river and paper mill respectively. It was concluded that out of ten species studied only one species (Ficus benghalensis) showed moderately tolerant response in all selected sites, while other species showed sensitive response. According to observed APTI values, Ficus benghalensis showed the highest value (21.65) at sugar mill followed by thermal power plant (19.38), Paper mill (17.65) and Yamuna River (17.61). The lowest APTI values were reported in Oxalis corniculata (6.42) at Yamuna River belt followed by Malvestrum at sugar mill (7.71).

Key words

Air pollution tolerance index, Plant species, Industrial area, Yamuna Nagar

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