Air pollution tolerance index of selected plants in industrial and urban areas of Vellore district

The impact of air pollutants on the biochemical characters of the selected plant species from industrial and urban areas was studied by calculating ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, leaf extract pH and relative water content from leaf tissues. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) values of the selected plants of different study areas revealed that the APTI values of the plants at the College Farm recorded low compared to Arcot and Ranipet transporation and industrial areas. Among the selected plant species, higher APTI values were recorded from the industrial and urban areas. when compared to areas free from industries and transport. The four selected plant species viz. Neerium oleander, Tamarindus indicus, Azardirecta indica and Pungamiapinnata, Neerium oleander recorded higher APTI values from the industrial and transportation that revealed more tolerance than the other selected plants. The statistical results revealed that Arcot was more polluted compared to Ranipet, and the college farm recorded least polluted due to less exposure to industries, transport and urbanization.