How Leaf Size and Texture Affect Plant Chemistry Near Roads and Factories

Jenn Hoskins
21st May, 2024

How Leaf Size and Texture Affect Plant Chemistry Near Roads and Factories

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Lovely Professional University assessed the resistance of 15 plant species to air pollution in the Phagwara Industrial and Bus stand areas
  • Mangifera indica (mango), Ficus religiosa (sacred fig), and Ficus benghalensis (banyan) showed the highest tolerance to air pollution
  • Plants with higher relative water content and ascorbic acid levels were better equipped to handle pollution stress
Air pollution is a pressing global issue, impacting not just human health but also the environment. One way to mitigate this problem is by leveraging the natural filtering abilities of plants. A recent study conducted by Lovely Professional University aimed to assess the resistance of various plant species to air pollutants by examining their biochemical and physiological parameters using the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI)[1]. This research evaluated fifteen plant species from two polluted sites: the Phagwara Industrial area and the Phagwara Bus stand area. The study found that Mangifera indica (mango), Ficus religiosa (sacred fig), and Ficus benghalensis (banyan) exhibited the highest APTI values in both industrial and roadside environments. Specifically, Mangifera indica recorded an APTI of 19.6 in the industrial area and 16.8 on the roadside, making it the most tolerant species among those studied. This was followed by Ficus religiosa and Ficus benghalensis, with APTI values of 19.3 and 15.8 in the industrial area, and 16.4 and 16.5 on the roadside, respectively. The APTI is a composite measure that includes several biochemical parameters such as ascorbic acid content, leaf extract pH, total chlorophyll content, and relative water content. These parameters help gauge a plant's ability to withstand air pollution. The study observed that these plants showed morphological changes, likely due to pollution stress, affecting their biochemical parameters. Previous studies have also explored similar themes. For instance, research conducted in Durgapur, West Bengal, India, assessed the biochemical responses of various plant species to air pollution[2]. This study highlighted the importance of biochemical plasticity and adaptability in plants like Lagerstroemia speciosa, Ficus religiosa, and Anthocephalus cadamba, which were found suitable for green belt development in polluted areas. Similarly, another study analyzed the impact of dust load on leaf attributes of tree species planted along roadsides and in industrial areas, finding that certain species like Anthocephalus cadamba and Syzygium cumini were more resilient to dust accumulation[3]. The current study from Lovely Professional University expands on these findings by not only assessing biochemical parameters but also linking them to morphological changes in plants. The researchers found that relative water content had a significant correlation with leaf surface texture and leaf surface area. Ascorbic acid, an important antioxidant, also showed a positive correlation with these morphological traits. This suggests that plants with higher relative water content and ascorbic acid levels are better equipped to handle pollution stress. In another relevant study, the ability of Quercus castaneifolia, Parrotia persica, and Carpinus betulus to act as biomonitors of environmental pollution was examined[4]. This study also used the APTI to determine the tolerance levels of these species, finding that Parrotia persica was highly tolerant to air pollution, while Carpinus betulus was more sensitive. These findings align with the current study, which also underscores the utility of APTI in evaluating plant tolerance to pollution. Moreover, a study conducted around Haldwani City, Uttarakhand, India, used multiple linear regression to analyze the impact of ambient air pollutants on the biochemical responses of tree species[5]. This study found that air pollutants significantly affected biochemical characteristics like ascorbic acid content, total chlorophyll content, and relative water content. The current study corroborates these findings by demonstrating similar biochemical changes in response to pollution stress. In conclusion, the research from Lovely Professional University provides valuable insights into the resistance of different plant species to air pollution. By examining both biochemical and morphological parameters, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of how plants cope with pollution stress. The findings suggest that species like Mangifera indica, Ficus religiosa, and Ficus benghalensis are particularly effective in reducing pollution, making them excellent candidates for green belt development in polluted areas. This study not only builds on previous research but also offers practical solutions for combating air pollution through strategic plant selection.

EnvironmentBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Assessing the relationship between the biochemical and the morphological factors (leaf surface area and leaf surface texture) of industrial and roadside plants.

Published 20th May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12710-2

Related Studies

2) Variation of tree biochemical and physiological characters under different air pollution stresses.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11674-3

3) Effect of dust load on the leaf attributes of the tree species growing along the roadside.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2560-x

4) Environmental pollution biomonitoring around a cement factory based on the Air Pollution Tolerance Index of some tree species.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-12043-6

5) A biochemical and morphological study with multiple linear regression modeling-based impact prediction of ambient air pollutants on some native tree species of Haldwani City of Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27563-4


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