Investigation of air pollution tolerance Index of needle leaf trees in green area of Isfahan

Air pollution has become a major problem from urbanization throughout the past years. An index to identify the tolerance of air pollutants was developed which is known as Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The APTI is a better mean based on physiological and biochemical parameters that have been used to asses tolerance level of any plant species Air pollution can affect plants morphology and physiology. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) was calculated by taking 8 different species growing commonly in 6 different areas of urban parks. In this research, the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of eight different plant species such as Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus eldarica, Pinus_mugo_pumilio, Cedrus deodara, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Cupressus arizonica, Platycladus orientalis, Juniperus communis were taken from urban parks of Isfahan during summer. Four physiological and biochemical parameters including ascorbic acid (AA) content, leaf relative water content (RWC), total leaf chlorophyll (TCh), and leaf extract pH were used to develop the APTI values. The data obtained were further analyzed by using one way ANOVA. Among the trees in the urban parks studied, higher value of APTI recorded for Cupressus arizonica and proved to be a tolerant variety while the minimum value of APTI recorded for Chamaecyparis lawsoniana and Cedrus deodara that proved as sensitive species to air pollutants.

Keywords:

Air pollution index , Tolerant Plants , Biochemical parameters