World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

A STUDY ON THE AIR POLLUTION TOLERENCE INDEX (APTI) OF SELECTED PLANTS FROM KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, KERALA

Harsha Mariam Thomas, Dr. Brijithlal N. D.* and Jisa Ann Sabu

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is considered globally as one of the major existing threat. The increase in industrialization has a huge impact in urban areas. To mitigate the air pollution, plants can be utilized as a cost effective and sustainable tool. Plants serve as bioindicator for biomonitoring the impact of air pollution and can also be used in the development of urban green belts. The present study was undertaken to assess the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of the ten common plant species from Kottayam district, to identify its sensitivity and tolerance to air pollution. Among the selected plants, Macaranga peltata (9.85mg/g), Psidium guajava (10.9mg/g), Garuga pinnata (11.08mg/g), Mangifera indica (11.3mg/g) and Tamarindus indica (11.4mg/g) shows sensitivity towards air pollution indicating its use as bioindicator. For the development of green belts in polluted area Delonix regia (12.7mg/g), Ficus benghalensis (14.9mg/g), Cassia fistula (14.2mg/g), Lagerstromeia speciosa (13.9mg/g) and Terminalia catappa (15.7mg/g) with intermediate ATPI values can be used.

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