DETERMINATION OF AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX OF SELECTED TREES IN SELECTED LOCATIONS IN MAIDUGURI

In an attempt to contribute to environmental pollution control measures, relative tolerance of six selected tree species namely; Anacardium occidentale, Azadiracta indica, Cassia angustifolia, Eucalyptus spp, Khaya senegalensis, Mangifera indica from three selected locations of high, moderate, and low pollution rate in Maiduguri City was determined. Theplants were selected based on their relative abundance in the locations. TheAscorbic acid content (AAC), pH, Relative water content (RWC), Total chlorophyll content and Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) was evaluated based on the measured physiological and biochemical parameters. The study revealed that Mangifera indica (30.02) and Anacardium occidentale (29.65) are tolerant species, Khaya senegalensis(28.61)Azadiracta indica(28.23) and Eucalyptus spp(24.10) are intermediate and Cassia angustifolia(25.129) is sensitive. Therefore these tree species could be used as bio indicators in pollution monitoring.

Keywords:

Air pollution , Relative water content , Total chlorophyll content , Ascorbic acid , pH