Journal of Environmental Biology

Variation in air pollution tolerance index and anticipated

performance index of roadside plants in Mysore, India

Yoseph Cherinet Tsega and A.G. Devi Prasad^*

Department of Science in Environmental Science, University of Mysore, Mysore - 570 006, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: agdprasad@yahoo.com

 Publication Data

Paper received:

03 July 2012

Revised received:

29 April 2013

Accepted:

03 June 2013

Abstract

Plants develop characteristic reactions and symptoms in response to particular type and level of air pollution. Air pollution tolerance index has been used to rank plant species in their order of tolerance to air pollution. In the present study, the Air Pollution Tolerance Index of five roadside plant species (Enterolobium saman, Muntingia calabura, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Spathodea campanulata and Polyalthia longifolia) has been evaluated. The Anticipated Performance Index (API) of these plant species was also calculated by considering their APTI values together with biological parameters (Plant habit, Canopy structure, Type of plant, laminar structure and Economic value). Based on these indices, the most suitable plant species for green belt development in urban areas were identified and recommended for long-term air pollution management. Among the plants studied at different sites, Polyalthia longifolia was found to be a better tolerant species with an APTI value of 12.21as compared to other species and Peltophorum pterocarpum appears to be less tolerant to air pollutants with an APTI value of 8.16.

 Key words

Air pollution tolerance index, Anticipated performance index, Green belt

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