Journal of Tree Sciences

Atmospheric particulate matter is a mixture of diverse elements which are emitted out of motor vehicles. These affect the overall growth and development of plants according to their physical and chemical nature and are one of the major culprits for stress induced changes in plants. Surface dust deposit may alter the optical properties of leaves, particularly the surface reflectance in the visible and short wave infra-red radiation range. Dust capturing capacity of plants depends on the surface geometry, phyllotaxy and characteristics such as hair, cuticle, height and canopy of plant as well as on the properties of particles. In the present study dust interception efficiency of some selected plant species alongside the National Highway 5 from Solan to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh was assessed. Three commonly grown plant species along the National Highway viz. Quercus leucotrichophora, Debregeasia saeneb and Rubus ellipticus were selected for the study. Maximum dust was found to be accumulated in case of Debregeasia saeneb (0.078 gm⁻²) during the summer season while least was observed in case of Quercus leucotrichophora (0.023 gm⁻²) during the monsoon season. Maximum dust accumulation was recorded in case of Debregeasia saeneb at distance (0–5 m) from the National Highway while least was observed in case of Quercus leucotrichophora species at the distance >100 m from the National Highway. Both Debregeasia saeneb and Rubus ellipticus shrubs can be recommended for plantation as they can serve as a buffer by accumulating large amount of dust.