Air pollution tolerance index of selected plants growing near road side of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

In well planned cities, vehicular emission is one of the major causes of air pollution. The capacity of plants to act as bio indicator of air pollution differs from plant to plant. To identify the tolerance levels of plants APTI values were calculated based on four physiological and biochemical parameters such as leaf Relative Water Content (RWC), Ascorbic Acid (AA), Total Leaf Chlorophyll and Leaf Extract pH. By absorbing pollutants, plants create areas of clean air pockets. The study evaluated APTI and sensitivity of 12 plant species along the road side of highly polluted area of Navi Mumbai. The results showed order of tolerance Ricinus communis > Acalypha wilkesiana (green leaved)> Millingtonia hortensis, while the sensitivity was in the order Ficus benjamina > Cassia siamea > Ficus religiosa.