Dust capturing potential and air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of some road side tree vegetation in Aizawl, Mizoram, India: an Indo-Burma hot spot region

Bio monitoring studies are extremely relevant in the field of air pollution science in relation to urban ecosystem restoration. The present study was designed in order to assess the dust capturing efficiency and air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of 12 selected tree species growing along the road side at control and polluted site of Aizawl, Mizoram, northeast India. Highest dust deposition was found in Ficus benghalensis (1.02 mg cm(-2)) and lowest in Bauhinia variegate (0.54 mg cm(-2)) at polluted site. APTI of 12 plant species were evaluated by analyzing four important biochemical parameters such as ascorbic acid content, relative water content, leaf extract pH and total leaf chlorophyll. High values of APTI were recorded in F. benghalensis (19.48) and least for Artocarpus heterophyllus (8.11) at control site. The anticipated performance index (API) was calculated for different species by combining the resultant APTI values with some relevant biological and socioeconomic characters. According to API, F. bengalensis, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Ficus religiosa, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Lagerstroemia speciosa were evaluated as the best suited variety for plantation along the roadside of the polluted area.