Air Pollution Tolerance Indices (APTI) of Six Ornamental Plants Commonly Marketed at “Ebano Tunnel” Floral Market, in Enugu Urban, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Enugu Urban Local Government Area is the capital of Enugu State in the South Eastern Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. "Ebano Tunnel" is an important link road between the two busiest parts of Enugu Urban-the Ogui Urban area and the Abakiliki road/GRA. Owing to this strategic location, the "Ebeano Tunnel", recently is witnessing massive floral market where ornamental plants are displayed. Six species of ornamental plants commonly marketed (Ficus, Hibiscus, Ixora, Phitis, Toja and Red rose) were evaluated for their Air pollution Tolerance Indices (APTI). The APTI of each plant was computed from four physiological and biochemical parameters namely:-P H of the leaf extract, Relative water content, Ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content. The APTI values ranged between 9.04-15.26 on Hibiscus and Toja respectively. The ornamental plants with high APTI (Tolerant) are recommended for use in domestic, industrial and urban land scapping both for their aesthetic values and phytoremediation potential of air polluted environment, while the plants with low APTI (Sensitive) are to be used as bio-indicators of environmental air quality.