LEAF DUST DEPOSITION AND ITS IMPACT ON CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT OF CASSIA FISTULA AND EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS GROWING IN VICINITY OF JAYPEE CEMENT PLANT, REWA (M.P.)

The study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variation in dust accumulation on leaves and leaf pigment content of leaves of two tree species viz; Cassia fistula and Eucalyptus globulus growing in the vicinity of Jaypee cement plant Rewa (M.P.). The impact of cement dust was observed via biochemical attributes (chlorophyll contents) from leaves of Cassia fistula and Eucalyptus globulus. The result showed maximum dust deposition in winter followed by summer and rainy for both plant species. It was seen that total chlorophyll decreased with the increasing dust load of selected cement dusted plant species and compared with non-dusted plant species. The result shows significant correlation (negative) between dust load and pigment content in all three seasons. Thus plants can be used in the subsiding of cement dust pollution by acting as natural filters.