ASSESSMENT OF THE AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX AND ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE INDEX OF COMMONLY GROWING PLANT SPECIES ALONG THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY (NH-7) IN NAHAN TO PAONTA SAHIB STRETCH IN HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIAJYOTSANA PANDIT, ANISHKUMARSHARMA, ANIL SOOD AND SATISHKUMAR BHARDWAJAbstract Plants are universal sink of CO2. Plantation of species along National Highways helps to trap air polluting dust and CO2. Plants are also negatively affected by the dust and gaseous emission from vehicles. The effectiveness of plant species as bioindicator/ biomonitors depends on appropriate selection based on their tolerance and sensitivity to air pollution which is usually evaluated by the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). In the present study, the APTI of four roadside plant species namely Ficus roxburghii, Mallotus philippensis, Shorea robusta, Woodfordia fruticosa has been evaluated. The Anticipated Performance Index (API) of these plant species was also calculated by considering their APTI values with biological and socio-economic characters (plant height, canopy structure, type of plant, laminar characteristics, texture, hardiness and economic value). The API indicated that Shorea robusta (API=7) is best performer in green belt development. The study revealed that APTI and API determination provides a reliable method for the selection of appropriate species which can be used as bioindicators and mitigators of air pollutants.
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