Comparative Study On Apti, Antioxidant Status Of Plants & Soil Health

Air pollution is a serious environmental stress to plants. Hence,its assessment in plants was studied at two selected study areas. The study area selected were roadsides of Aavin milk dairy and Periyar University Garden, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Fresh leaves from 12 commonly available plants were selected for the air pollution tolerance index, antioxidant activity assay and soil nutrient analysis was done. The mineral content of the study area1 was found to be 244.91Kg/acre and for study area 2 it was 215.56Kg/acre. The air pollution tolerance index was higher for Azadirachta indica and Syzygium cumini. Dust accumulated might lead to pigment variation. Likewise,antioxidant activity was good with Psidium guajava, Muntinga calabura, Terminalia catappa, Albizia saman, Ficus religiosa. The difference might be due to the nutrient, humus content of soil which plays a major role in plant growth and on the time of exposure of pollutants. Diversified chemicals in plants imparts antioxidant activity at various levels which gives protection against stress. The strength of free radical scavenging activity depends on the topography of the area. Let us grow plants, mitigate pollution.