Pollution and Physiological Changes in the Leaves of Apricot Plants

Responses from plants species to air pollutants varies with certain species being very sensitive to such pollutants, ending up with well visible and measurable symptoms. The morphological damage is generally visible through lesions on the aerial parts, while the biochemical and physiological changes are invisible but can be measured and quantified. This study was designed to investigate the biochemical and physiological biomarkers in apricot leaves (Prunus armeniaca L.) exposed to air pollution. It was observed that, in comparison to unpolluted sites, lipid peroxidation level has increased in the leaves of apricot trees, grown in polluted areas, whereas photosynthetic capacity (Net photosynthesis, transpiration rate and chlorophyll) has declined. In P. armeniaca leaves, these symptoms can be used as indicators of air pollution stress for its early diagnosis, making them a reliable markers for a particular physiological disorder.