Abstract

EFFECT OF DUST DEPOSITION ON CHLOROPHYLL CONTENTS OF ROAD SIDE PLANTS IN NORTH RAJASTHAN

Charan Singh*, Monika Vig and Garima and Mayavati 

ABSTRACT

Foliar surface of plants is continuously exposed to the surrounding atmosphere and is therefore the main receptor of dust. This physical trait can be used to determine the level of dust in the surroundings as well as the ability of individual plant species to intercept and mitigate with it. The effect of dust pollution was determined on chlorophyll content of eight different species viz. Ficus religiosa, Ficus carica, Azadirachta indica, Delbergia sissoo, Ziziphus jujube, Calotropis procera, Acacia nilotica, Gossypium sp. growing along the roads of Sri Ganganagar City. Significant changes in the level of chlorophyll ''a'' chlorophyll ''b'' and total chlorophyll ''a+b'' were found in the leaves of eight species collected form dust polluted site. This study clearly indicated that the dust deposition effected on the level of chlorophyll pigments in trees which were exposed to road side.

Keywords: Chlorophyll pigment, Dust deposition, Sri Ganganagar City, Delbergia sissoo.