Pollution Research Paper

POLLUTION CONTROLLING ABILITY OF INDIGENOUS PLANT SPECIES GROWING AROUND DRAIN IN DELHI

MANISHA GUPTA, BABBAR, SIMRAN, GOEL ANITA, GUPTA RADHIKA, DOHARE NEERAJ AND NANDA SARITA

Abstract

The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Performance Index (API) of the indigenously growing plants of the polluted Najafgarh Drain near Vishwavidyalaya, North West Delhi was assessed and compared with those growing in the less polluted neighbouring institutional area of Vishwavidyalaya of North West Delhi. Ficus benghalensis (Burgad), Ficusra cemosa (Gular), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Ficusvirens (Philkan), Saraca asoca (Ashoka), Pithecellobium dulce (Jangal Jalebi), Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) were the eight plants which were studied. They recorded more alkaline leaf extract pH (6.37) which was significantly different from the control (P<0.001), They showed greater amount of Relative Water Content (RWC) (60%), lesser Ascorbic Acid (AA) (1.08mg/g). higher Chlorophyll content (109mg/g), lower APTI but similar API when compared with controls. It was observed that Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pithecellobium dulce (Jangal Jalebi) scored the best over the other six species. Their Ascorbic Acid (AA) content and Chlorophyll (TCh) concentration were the highest, their Relative Water Content (RWC) was much lower than others and their pH was 6.3. However the APTI scores were much lower than their counterparts in the institutional area. On the contrary, the scores for Ficus religiosa (Peepal) and Saraca asoca (Ashoka) improved in the drain area as compared to the institutional area. This shows that Ficus religiosa (Peepal) and Saraca asoca (Ashoka) Tree had greater tolerance level to polluted air and water of the drain area than Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pithecellobium dulce (Jangal Jalebi). We recommend that preference should be given to plantation of Ficus religiosa (Peepal) and Saraca asoca (Ashoka) along with Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pithecellobium dulce (Jangal Jalebi) around the drain area to control pollution.