AJAY KUMAR, ANSHUMAN GUPTA, SHARAD SHYAM AND ANAMIKA TRIPATHI
Abstract
The present study describes the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) in different plant species in Gajraula industrial area, western Uttar Pradesh, India. Two sites have been selected viz. Indra Chowk and Town Basti as industrial and control area, respectively for this purpose. Ten tree species, along the roadside were identified for the study. APTI was determined by calculating ascorbic acid content, chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH and relative water content. The highest APTI was recorded in Saraca indica (49.36) and lowest in Tectona grandis (9.68). In the present study, Saraca indica, Alstonia scholaris and Ficus rumphii were found tolerant against pollution and can be planted along the industrial belt while Mangifera indica, Polyalthia longifolia, Tectona grandis and Cassia fistula were found sensitive to pollution and thus can be used as bio-indicator of air pollution.