9.Response of Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus) against Particulate Pollutants around industrial belt Khrew, Kashmir, India |
Rouf ur Rafiq and D. M. Kumawat |
This study was aimed to know the impact of cement industries dust on various parts of Almond tree growing at different distances from the cement industrial belt Khrew, Kashmir, India. Sampling was done at different distances ranging from 0.5-2.0 kms from the point source. The chlorophyll, Carotenoids, pH of leaf wash, pH of leaf extracts and leaf size (length) were reduced in dust-exposed plant species as compared to control site Lethapora (13 km away from the cement factories). Survival of plants in the vicinity of industrial areas is being threatened by particulates. Increased concentration of cement dust pollutants causes invisible injuries like progressive decline in photosynthetic ability and closure of leaf stomata and thus affects the growth and productivity of Almond. Besides the deleterious effects of the dust were expressed by the reduction in size of the leaf, damaged leaf margin and change in colour. Overall study shows that Almond trees growing near cement industries were adversely affected physiologically. |