Abstract
Multivariate statistical techniques were employed on twelve leaf traits in four selected common tree species (Mangifera indica L., Polyalthia longifolia Sonn., Ficus benghalensis L. and Psidium guajava L.) to evaluate their responses with respect to major air pollutants in an urban area. Discriminant analysis (DA) identified chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio, leaf dry matter content, carotenoids, net water content and ascorbic acid as the major discriminating leaf traits, which varied maximally with respect to the pollution status. Pollution response score (PRS), calculated on the basis of discriminate functional coefficient values, increased with an increase in air pollution variables for all the tested species, with the highest increase in P. longifolia and the lowest in F. benghalensis. The study highlights the usefulness of DA for evaluation of plant specific traits and PRS for selection of tolerant species.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University for laboratory and central facilities. Arideep Mukherjee is thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST) for providing financial support in the form of an Inspire fellowship. The authors are also grateful to an anonymous reviewer and senior editor for their valuable suggestions for improving the quality of the manuscript.
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Mukherjee, A., Agrawal, M. Pollution Response Score of Tree Species in Relation to Ambient Air Quality in an Urban Area. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 96, 197–202 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1679-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1679-1