An Examination of Antioxidant, Physiological and Chemical Responses of Olive, Rose and Pine, under the Stress of Air Pollution in Isfahan

Shahnaz Rastgu^1* and Hossein Zeinali ²

¹Department of Agriculture ,Payame Noor University (PNU), P.o .Box,19395-3697, Tehran, Iran.

²Payame Noor University , a faculty member of the Center of Agricultural Research.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2364

ABSTRACT: Since different plants have different reactions to pollutants, in this study the physiological, chemical and Antioxidant changes of three plants, Olive (broadleaf), Rose (shrubs) and Pine (conifer), affected by urban (traffic ) and industrial (petrochemical)pollution, compared to the control group (in Semirom), were studied. Leaf samples from the three plants were collected randomly during the two different periods (June and July). The results showed significant differences in chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, the number of stomata in the three plants Rose, Olive and Pine in the three regions (P <0.01). Protein content in the Soffeh and petrochemical regions decreased compared to Semirom, and catalase activity increased significantly. Ascorbate  peroxidase enzyme activity differences among the plants in the regions, at 0.01, was not significant. The results showed significant differences in the concentration of zinc and copper inRose, Olive and Pine was found in thethree locations (P <0.01). The soils of all three regions were diagnosed withlead elements and the soil of Soffeh and Petrochemical plant were found to bepolluted by zinc. The results indicate physiological, chemical and Antioxidant adjustments in the three plants and, consequently, the possibility of using all three plants of Roses, Olive and Pine as aliveindicators of air pollution.

KEYWORDS: antioxidant; physiological; chemical; olive; rose; pine; pollution

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