Effects of Road Side Pollution on Vegetation – A Mini-Review

Abstract

Emissions from vehicles possess various pollutants which cause worst form of environmental pollution. Various pollutants of vehicles altered parameters of exposed vegetation. Increase in vehicles pollution may also increase effect of vehicles-emitted pollutants on vegetation. It affects mainly the photosynthetic pigments, respiratory activities, enzymatic activities, uptake of water etc. Present review highlights the impacts of road side pollutants like sulphur dioxide, carbon mono oxide, nitrous oxide, lead compounds and some heavy metals e.g. cadmium, copper, chromium and zinc on aerial parts of plants. Cited literature reveals that the commonly affected plants by road-side traffic pollution are Azadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia surattensis, Leucaenaleu cocephala and Parkinsonia aculeates, Alstonias cholaris, Cassia siamea, Allium sativum etc. in Pakistan. It is concluded that vehicles emission had significant effect on the various parameters of the plants.