Evaluation of Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of selected tree species of industrial areas in Nasik City Maharashtra,India

The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of selected tree species in industrial areas of Nashik city was assessed to evaluate their tolerance to air pollution. The study focused on various plant species in the Satpur MIDC industrial zone of Nashik. Some plant species exhibit tolerance to air pollution, while others are susceptible. Susceptible species serve as bio-indicators of air pollution, whereas tolerant species can be utilized for green belt development. This study examined seasonal variations in APTI by analysing 13 commonly available tree species: Terminalia catappa L., Mangifera indica L., Ficus religiosa L., Ficus benghalensis L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Monoon longifolium (Sonn.) B. Xue & R. M. K. Saunders, Senna siamea (Lam.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby, Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Ex DC, Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm., and Millingtonia hortensis L. f., Key physicochemical parameters influencing APTI—total chlorophyll content, leaf extract pH, relative water content, and ascorbic acid—were recorded. These factors varied across three different seasons within the study period (July 2022 – August 2023). Among the analysed species, Ficus benghalensis exhibited the highest APTI value (14.01), indicating greater tolerance to air pollution, while Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. , had the lowest APTI value (9.16), and suggesting higher susceptibility. The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate tree species for urban green belt planning to mitigate industrial air pollution.