Evaluation the air pollution tolerance index and anticipated Pollution index of Plants in green space (Case study: Ardakan pelletizing factory)

The Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) is a measure of plant resistance to air pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate APTI and anticipated performance index (API) in plants in green space of Ardakan pelletizing factory. In the spring of 2021, 26 plant species were sampled in study area (bush, shrub and tree). The parameters of pH, leaf extract, relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid was measured in fully developed leaves. APTI were determined using these four parameters. Finally, API was determined according to APTI and biological and socio-economic characteristics. The results showed that leaf extract pH, RWC, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and APTI were significantly different in 26 samples (p<0.05). The results of mean comparison showed that the highest value of APTI was related to Yucca filamentosa (12.2) and the lowest value was related to Chamaecy paris sp. (4.1). APTI was less than 15 in all plants. This study showed that APTI can be used to identify sensitive plants to air pollution. The results showed that Phoenix dactylifera had the maximum value of API and was in the good category in evaluating this index (Scoring% = 62.5 and API = 4). Frankenia laevis and Ruellia tuberosa had the lowest API and were evaluated as non-recommended (Scoring% = 12.5 and API = 0). Of the 26 plant species studied in terms of API index, 11 plants were not recommended, 5 plants were very poor, 9 plants were poor and one plant was good. The present study showed that the evaluation of plants using APTI index alone is not appropriate but the combination of APTI with biological and socio-economic characteristics is useful for recommending suitable plant species for ecological purposes.