MORPHO-ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THE LEAVES OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS (L.) R.
Br. IN RESPONSE TO PARTICULATE MATTER POLLUTION
Abstract
Leaves of Alstonias cholaris (L.) R. Br. are sensitive to particulate
matter pollution. Thus these leaves show morphological and anatomical
changes to counter the effect of particulate matter pollution. To
evaluate this, samples of the said leaves were collected from three site
of Orange Line Train Route (polluted). Peeling and cross sections were
used to study morphological and anatomical features of the leaves of the
said tree. The samples were preserved using FAA (Formaline, Acetic acid
and Alcohol solution). Sections of the leaves were cut using free hand
sectioning techniques and stained using toluidine blue. Then their
anatomy was compared to the leaves obtained from Botanical garden of
Forman Christian College (unpolluted). Studied carried out on these
leaves showed that no significant changes are there in the epidermal
cells of both types. But size and number of stomata and size of
mesophyll cells showed marked differences. It is necessary to understand
the molecular mechanism behind defense mechanism employed by the plant
to mitigate the negative effects of particulate matter pollution.