RELATIVE ANALYSIS ON CHLOROPHYLL ESTIMATION IN RESPONSE TO AUTOMOBILE POLLUTION OF SELECTED WEED PLANT SPECIES AT DIFFERENT ROADSIDES IN MEERUT, U.P

Abstract

Air pollution is the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more contaminants, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapors in quantities and for durations such as to be injurious to human, plant or animal life or property or to interfere unreasonably with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property. Chlorophyll is an important sensitive and reliable indicator to air pollution. For present study selected plant species such as Cassia occidentalis L., Cassia obtusifolia L., Sida veronicaefolia and Abutilon indicum G. Don., at different roadsides (as University road, Delhi road, Railway road and Garh road). Reduction in chlorophyll contents were found to be depends on pollution concentration. An increase significant reduction was observed at highly polluted sites due to high concentration of automobile pollution. Chl a, Chl b and total Chl content were reduced. Due to much concentration of pollutants plants also showed chlorosis and necrosis on their leaf surface. Increasing order of polluted study sites: University Road< Railway road< Garh road < Delhi road.