Effect of Vehicular Exhaust Upon Roadside Plant, Cassia tora L. on NH-37, Assam, India

Bitopan Sarma, Sanjay Kumar Chanda, Munmi Dutta, Pranab Ram Bhattacharya, Mantu Bhuyan

Abstract


We studied the impact of vehicle exhausts on locally available common weed Cassia tora L. throughout the roadsides of National Highway (NH 37) in Assam, India. Rresults showed deterioration of pollen viability, stomatal density, chlorophyll content and specific leaf area. However significant increase was observed in leaf thickness and trichome density. Based on the consistent influence of vehicular exhaust upon some important leaf characteristics, the plant may be considered as an indicator to monitor such pollution in future.

Keywords


Roadside; Pollution; Vehicle Exhausts; Indicator; Cassia tora

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