Life sciences Leaflets 20:935 –943, 2011.

FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098

Published on: 1st October 2011

AIR POLLUTION TOLERANCE INDEX (APTI) OF TREE SPECIES
AT CROSS ROADS OF AHMEDABAD CITY
D. K. CHANDAWAT, P. U. VERMA AND H. A. SOLANKI
ECOLOGY LAB, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY,
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SCIENCES,
GUJARAT UNIVERSITY, AHMEDABAD - GUJARAT- INDIA – 380009.
Email: deepikachandawat@yahoo.co.in and husolanki@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT:
Though water and land pollution is very dangerous, air pollution has its own peculiarities, due to
its transboundary dispersion of pollutants over the entire world. In any well planned urban set up,
industrial pollution takes a back seat and vehicular emissions take precedence as the major cause
of urban air pollution. A study of Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) was calculated for various
plant species growing at the seven cross-roads of Ahmedabad city. The leaf samples collected from
5 commonly present tree species at the cross-roads of Ahmedabad city were used to determine
their Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). Four physiological and biochemical parameters, which
are leaf relative water content (RWC), Ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (TChl)
and leaf extract pH were used to compute the APTI values. The result showed order of tolerance as
Ficus benghalensis exhibited the highest value at all the sites followed by Ficus religiosa> Ficus
glomerata followed by Azadiracta indica > Polyalthia longifolia.

KEY WORDS: APTI, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa, Ficus glomerata, Azadiracta indica and
Polyalthia longifolia.

INTRODUCTION:
It is known fact that 60 % of air pollution in city is
caused by automobiles only (Gaikwad, et. al, 2004).
Man-made urban air pollution, which is derived largely
from combustion processes, is a complex mixture
containing many toxic components (Cohen, et. al,
2004). The urban air quality is continuously affected by
emissions from both stationary and mobile combustion
sources. Mobile sources contribute to the emission of major urban air pollutants including: carbon
monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM), lead (Pb),
photochemical oxidants such as ozone (O3) and ozone precursors like hydrocarbons and volatile
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organic compounds (Costa, 2001). The effect of these pollutants is observed at acute level on
sensitive species of plants, animals and human beings. Air pollutions can directly affect plants via
leaves or indirectly via soil acidification (Steubing, et al 1989). It has also been reported that when
exposed to air pollutants, most plant experience physiological changes before exhibiting visible
damage to leaves (Dohmen, et al 1990).Plants are considers for investigation of effect of auto
exhaust pollutants. Response of plants towards air is being assessed by air pollution tolerance
index. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) based on all four parameters has been used for
identifying tolerance levels of plant species (Singh and Rao, 1983; Yan-Ju and Ding, 2007; Singh
et al 1977). Several contributors agrees that air pollutants effect plant growth adversely (Rao,
2006; Bhatia, 2006; Sodhi, 2005; Horsefall, 1998). Air pollution tolerance index is used by
landscapers to select plant species tolerant to air pollution (Yan- Ju and Ding, 2007). Air pollution
tolerance index has also been used to rank plant species in their order of tolerance to air pollution
(Raza and Murthy, 1988; Singh and Rao, 1983). Some plant species and varieties are so sensitive
that they can be conveniently employed as biological indicators or monitors of specific pollutants.
They can further assist planner in managing the urban cities. The aim of this study is therefore to
determine the APTI values of five tree species commonly present at the cross-roads of Ahmedabad
city. The study will also identify the plant species which are tolerant to the prevailing atmospheric
conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mature leaves of Ficus benghalensis, F. religiosa, F. glomerata, Azadirachta indica and
Polyalthia longifolia were sampled in winter season from the seven cross-roads of
Ahmedabad city including commercial, industrial, power plant and residential areas
namely Power house, Paldi, Lal Darwaja, ST bus stand, Naroda, Railway station, and
residential area. Leaves from same plant species were also collected from Gujarat
University, Campus which is used as control area.
Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) was determined by the method given by Singh and
Rao, 1983. The samples were estimated for Leaf-extract pH (Singh and Rao, 1983),
relative moisture content (Wealtherly, 1965), total chlorophyll (Arnon, 1949) and ascorbic
acid (Abida Begum and Krishna, 2010). The fully expanded leaves from all the sites were
collected in the poly-thene bags and transported to the laboratory. The leaves were washed
out thoroughly with distilled water. Three replicates were used for each plant. Estimation
of Leaf-extract pH (Singh and Rao, 1983): 0.5 g of leaf material was ground to paste and

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 Life sciences Leaflets 20:935 –943, 2011. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098

dissolved in 50 ml of distilled water and Leaf-extract pH was measured by using calibrated

digital pH meter.
Relative moisture content (Wealtherly, 1965): Estimation of relative moisture content:
Fresh leaf samples collected from the study area and were brought immediately to the
laboratory and washed thoroughly. The excess water was removed with the help of filter
paper. The initial weight of samples were taken (W1 g) and kept in oven at 600 oC until
constant weight was obtained and the final weight was taken (W2 g).
Total Chlorophyll content was measured by the method of Arnon (1949). Weighted fresh
leaf material was homogenized and extracted thrice in chilled 80% acetone (v/v). The
volume of the acetone extract was made up to a known one and the optical density was
read at 645nm and 663nm wavelengths on a spectrophotometer. The concentration of the
chlorophyll pigments was calculated using the following formula and the results are
expressed in mg/g fresh weight.
Total chlorophyll = [(20.2 X OD at 645) – (8.02 X OD at 663)] X dilution factor.
Ascorbic acid content (AA) (mg/g) was measured using spectrophotemetric method. 1 g of
the fresh foliage was put in a test-tube, 4 mL oxalic acid - EDTA extracting solution was
added, then 1 mL of orthophosphoric acid and then 1 mL 5% tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid
added to this mixture, 2 mL of ammonium molybdate was added and then 3 mL of water.
The solution was then allowed to stand for 15 minutes. After which the absorbance at 760
nm was measured with a spectrophotometer (Abida Begum and Krishna, 2010).

APTI given as:

APTI = [AA (T + P) + R]

10
(Where AA is the ascorbic acid in mg/g, T is the total chlorophyll in mg/g, P is pH of leaf
sample and R is relative water content in mg/g).
RESULTS & DISCUSSION:
Air pollution tolerant index is an index denotes capability of a plant to combat against air
pollution. Plants which have higher index value are tolerant to air pollution and can be caused as
sink to mitigate pollution, while plants with low index value show less tolerance and can be used
to indicate levels of air pollution (Singh and Rao, 1983).

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 Life sciences Leaflets 20:935 –943, 2011. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098

The present investigation of air pollution tolerance index was carried during winter season. For this
study, changes in parameters such as ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, pH of leaf extract, relative
water content were used in evaluating the degree of tolerance to air pollution by the plant species.
Table-1 shows the result of air pollution tolerance index value.
Changes in Chlorophyll content
Chlorophyll content of plants signifies its photosynthetic activity as well as the growth and
development of biomass. It is well evident that chlorophyll content of plants varies from species to
species; age of leaf and also with the pollution level as well as with other biotic and abiotic
conditions (Katiyar and Dubey, 2001).
Present study revealed that chlorophyll content in all the plants varies with the pollution status of
the area i.e. higher the pollution level in the form of vehicular exhausts lower the chlorophyll
content. It also varies with the tolerance as well as sensitivity of the plant species i.e. higher the
sensitive nature of the plant species lower the chlorophyll content. Irrespective of study stations,
higher levels of total chlorophyll was observed in Ficus bengalensis, and this higher levels of total
chlorophyll observed may be due to its tolerance nature (Beg et al., 1990 and Jyothi and Jaya,
2010).
Changes in Ascorbic acid content
Ascorbic acid is a strong reductant and it activates many physiological and defence mechanism. Its
reducing power is directly proportional to its concentration (Raza and Murthy, 1988; Lewis, 1978).
Being a very important reducing agent, ascorbic acid also plays a vital role in cell wall synthesis,
defense and cell division (Conklin, 2001). Present study showed elevation in the concentration of
ascorbic acid with respect to the control site in F. religiosa, F. benghalensis and F. glomerata.
Pollution load dependent increase in ascorbic acid content of all the plant species may be due to
the increased rate of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during photo-oxidation of SO2
to SO3 where sulfites are generated from SO2 absorbed.
Chaudhary and Rao (1977) and Varshney and Varshney (1984) are of the opinion that higher
ascorbic acid content of the plant is a sign of its tolerance against sulphur dioxide pollution. In the
present study also higher levels of ascorbic acid content in the leaves of F. religiosa, F.
benghalensis and F. glomerata suggests their tolerance towards the pollutants. Lower ascorbic acid
contents in the leaves of A. indica and P. longifolia supports the sensitive nature of these plants
towards pollutants particularly automobile exhausts.
Changes in leaf extract pH
All the plant samples collected from polluted site exhibited a pH towards acidic side, which may
be due to the presence of SO2 and NOx in the ambient air causing a change in pH of the leaf sap

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 Life sciences Leaflets 20:935 –943, 2011. FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 0976 - 1098

towards acidic site (Swami et al., 2004). The changes in leaf-extract pH might influence the
stomata sensitivity due to air pollutants. The plants with high sensitivity to SO2 and NO2 closed the
stomata faster when the exposed to the pollutants (Larcher, 1995).
Consequently, sensitive plants had higher leaf-extract pH than tolerant plants. Similar result was
obtained in the present investigation. High pH may increase the efficiency of conversion from
hexose sugar to Ascorbic acid, while low leaf extract pH showed good correlation with sensitivity
to air pollution (Escobedo et al., 2008; Pasqualini et al., 2001;
Changes in relative water content
Relative Water Content (RWC) of a leaf is the water present in it relative to its full turgidity.
Relative water content is associated with protoplasmic permeability in cells cause loss of water and
dissolved nutrients, resulting in early senescence of leaves (Agrawal and Tiwari, 1997).
Present study showed higher relative water content with respect to the control site in F. religiosa,
F. benghalensis and F. glomerata. The plants with high relative water content under polluted
conditions may be tolerant to pollutants. Similar result was obtained by Jyothi and Jaya, 2010.
Air Pollution Tolerance Index
The results of air pollution tolerance index [APTI] calculated for each plant species studied at
different sites is mentioned in the above Table 1. Ficus benghalensis exhibited the highest APTI
value at all the sites followed by Ficus religiosa> Ficus glomerata followed by Azadiracta indica
> Polyalthia longifolia. Different plant species shows considerable variation in their susceptibility
to air pollution. The plants with high and low APTI can serve as tolerant and sensitive species
respectively.
In the present study, F. benghalensis, with highest air pollution tolerance index was found to show
tolerant response to automobile pollutants where as Ficus religiosa> Ficus glomerata, can be
considered to show intermediate response and lastly Azadiracta indica > Polyalthia longifolia can
be considered to show sensitive response.
Similar study of air pollution tolerance index was also conducted by Karthiyayini et al., (2005);
Agbaire and Esiefarienrhe, (2009); Tripathi, et al., (2009); Chauhan, A. (2010); Abida and
Harikrishna, (2010); Sirajuddin. M., and Ravichandran, M. (2010).
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Table1: Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) for tree species at various sites:
S. No. Tree Species Total Ascorbic Relative Air
Pollution
Chlorophyll acid pH water Tolerance
mg/ml mg/g content Index
% (APTI)
POWER HOUSE
1. Ficus religiosa 3.42 18.5 5.6 71.22 23
2. Ficus benghalensis 3.1 24.8 4.3 74.36 25
3. Ficus glomerata 1.38 25.7 5.1 72.88 23
4. Azadirachta indica 1.11 9.9 4.8 79.52 13
5. Polyalthia longifolia NA
PALDI
1. Ficus religiosa 3.4 20.56 5.7 50.89 23
2. Ficus benghalensis 3.2 22.24 5.9 67.32 26
3. Ficus glomerata 1.42 25.4 6.2 62.3 25
4. Azadirachta indica 0.99 1.72 4.4 90.82 10
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.12 9.98 4.2 63.67 12
LAL DARWAJA
1. Ficus religiosa 3.21 19.6 6.4 60.54 24
2. Ficus benghalensis 3.3 18.9 6.2 72.66 25
3. Ficus glomerata 3.06 19.4 5.9 74.68 23
4. Azadirachta indica 1.37 8.9 4.5 80.22 12
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.49 8.5 4.8 82.55 14
S.T. BUS STAND
1. Ficus religiosa 2.79 21.3 5.7 69.35 25
2. Ficus benghalensis 2.9 22.8 5.9 70.88 27
3. Ficus glomerata 1.48 23.4 6.4 74.85 25
4. Azadirachta indica 0.83 9.1 5.6 81.35 13
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.4 7.3 4.1 62.32 10
NARODA
1. Ficus religiosa 1.62 26.3 5.9 65.83 26
2. Ficus benghalensis 2.5 24.1 6.7 74.55 29
3. Ficus glomerata 1.3 30.8 5.6 68.25 28
4. Azadirachta indica 0.51 7.8 5.2 62.85 10
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.06 6.9 3.9 56.85 9
RAILWAY STATION
1. Ficus religiosa 3.11 20.3 5.8 60.11 24
2. Ficus benghalensis NA
3. Ficus glomerata 2.71 21.62 5.8 63.41 24
4. Azadirachta indica 0.55 5.1 5.1 81.43 11
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.33 8.4 4.1 83.44 `13
RESIDENTIAL AREA
1. Ficus religiosa 3.55 16.8 6.1 68.9 22
2. Ficus benghalensis 3.4 19.2 6.4 51.88 24
3. Ficus glomerata 3.12 17.2 5.7 66.32 20
4. Azadirachta indica 1.63 10.2 5.7 73.42 14
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.42 8.9 5.2 82.65 15
CONTROL

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S. No. Tree Species Total Ascorbic Relative Air

Pollution
Chlorophyll acid pH water Tolerance
mg/ml mg/g content Index
% (APTI)
1. Ficus religiosa 3.77 16.1 6.2 59.33 21
2. Ficus benghalensis 4.4 14.9 6.5 70.5 23
3. Ficus glomerata 3.1 13.6 6 68.52 19
4. Azadirachta indica 1.92 9.9 6.1 80 15
5. Polyalthia longifolia 2.56 10.4 5.9 80.63 16

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