Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and Anticipated Performance Index (API) of Roadside Plants for the Development of Greenbelt in Urban Area of Bathinda City, Punjab, India

The aim of the present study is to biomonitor the tolerance level of roadside plant species towards mitigation of air pollution for the development of greenbelt. The leaves of four plant species (Azadirachta indica, Ficus benghalensis, Melia azedarachandPolyalthia longifolia)were collected from 41 sampling sites of Bathinda city during summer and winter seasons. Seasonal variation in APTI and API was determined in selected plants. Highest APTI (13.54) was reported inF. benghalensisduring summer and lowest APTI (11.69) inA. indicaduring winter season. The APTI and API value revealed thatF. benghalensiswas the best performer,A. indicaandM. azedarachwere excellent performers andP. longifoliaa good performer in greenbelt development to mitigate the air pollution. Pearson's correlation analysis illustrated significant correlation between APTI, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, relative water and pH, respectively.