Industrial dust sulphate and its effects on biochemical and morphological characteristics of Morus (Morus alba) plant in NCR Delhi

Abstract

Abundance of CaCO3 rich soil dust is a typical feature of atmospheric environment in the Indian region. During prevailing dry weather conditions, dustfall is deposited onto the foliar surfaces of plant affecting their morphology, stomata and the levels of biochemical constituents. This study reports the chemical characteristics of dustfall, its effect on foliar morphology and biochemical constituents of a medicinal plant (Morus alba) at two sites which are differentiated on the basis of landuse pattern, viz., (i) residential, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and (ii) industrial, Sahibabad (SB), located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Dustfall was characterized for major anions (F(-), Cl(-), NO3 (-) and SO4 (--)) and cations (Na(+), NH4 (+), K(+), Mg(++) and Ca(++)). Biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline and ascorbic acid were determined in foliar samples. The results showed that the dustfall fluxes of all the major ions were found to be higher at the industrial site (SB) as compared to the residential site (JNU). Foliar analysis revealed that the levels of biochemical parameters were more affected at SB site due to higher levels of dust SO4 (--) contributed by various anthropogenic sources resulting in more stressful conditions affecting the biochemistry of the plant. The possible entry pathways for dust SO4 (--) into foliar cells are also discussed in the paper. It was noticed that the deposition of urban dust was responsible for the damage of trichome, epidermis, cuticle and stomatal guard cells significantly affecting foliar morphology. SB exhibited more damage to these morphological parts suggesting that industrial dust is harmful to the plants.

Morphological and physiological responses of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) to drought stress and dust pollution

“…In regard to the accumulation of proline in grapevine, the results of the present investigation are similar to the findings of Ghaderi and Siosemardeh (2011), and Ghaderi et al (2015), who reported that in strawberries the highest level of proline was observed in responses to drought. The increased accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and proline in response to dust and drought stress is a strategy for improving stress tolerance (Hoekstra et al 2001), regulating osmotic adjustment and reducing lipid peroxidation (Gupta et al 2015).…”

“…In addition, Kumar and Thambavani (2012), and Prajapati and Tripathi (2008) found that dust deposition brings about a decreased transpiration rate and lower stomatal conductance along with a higher leaf temperature. Dust pollution causes a progressive reduction in the photosynthetic ability of leaves and in the growth and productivity of plants, leading to a probable change in morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigment concentration and/ or relationships, as well as in the antioxidant mechanism of leaves (Younis et al 2013, Gupta et al 2015. Closure of leaf stomata and a reduction in stomatal conductance (Siqueira-Silva et al 2016), an increase in leaf temperature and collapse of the leaf cuticle layer have been reported as the negative impacts of dust pollution (Naidoo and Chirkoot 2004).…”

Atmospheric Aerosols: Air Quality and Climate Change Perspectives

“…Direct entry of particulate matter into leaves takes place through stomata by diffusing into and out of leaves while indirect pathway occurs through the root system. Gupta et al, [48] have demonstrated that the deposition of dust SO 4 2-on plant foliar causes changes in biochemical process of foliar. Atmospheric dust also clogs stomata.…”

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“…Countries like India have high loading of soil derived dust in the atmosphere under prevailing dry weather conditions. The soil derived particulate matter is rich in CaCO3 and acts as an effective scavenger of atmospheric SO2 forming CaSO4 which is also removed through dust-fall [15], [16], [17].…”