Air Pollution Induced changes in foliar morphology of two tree species at Indore city

Abstract

Increasing energy demands associated with economic growth and industrialization around the world has resulted in dramatic increase in air pollution emissions. The atmosphere contains various gases in different concentrations. Most of the air pollutants are hazardous to human health as well as to plants. The use of plants as monitors of air pollution has long been established, because plants are the initial acceptors of air pollution. In Indian cities, unplanned development of industrial and residential areas has further added to this problem. Indore, being a commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, is highly industrialized and densely populated city. A big number of business houses have their head offices and trading centers’ here. As a result the automobile number is also very high. All these factors leads to considerable increase in air pollutants in ambient air, causing serious threat to humans and plants. Effect of air pollution on two tree species viz. Eucalyptus citriodora and Bauhinia purpurea at three sampling sites of Indore city was studied. The parameters examined were fresh and dry weight of leaves, L/B ratio, specific leaf area (L/D ratio) and dust deposition. The study was conducted from October-january,2009 (winter season). The results revealed that both the plant species were more affected at two polluted sites; however, the plants were showing more damage in IPA as compared to VPA. Study of leaf parameters clearly indicated that the wind- ward side of trees was less affected than lee- ward side.