Analysis of Biochemical Parameters and APTI of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Sajina (Moringa oleifera) Plants during Monsoon and Winter Seasons in Purulia Town, WB, India

A survey was undertaken to evaluate the biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, carbohydrate, ascorbic acid, APTI of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Sajina (Moringa oleifera) plants and sample leaves were collected during two different seasons like monsoon of 2019 and winter of 2020, from ten different sites of Purulia town like Nistarini College premises, Deshbandhu Road near Raghabpur more, Station para (near Maheswari lodge), Railway station and surrounding areas, Bus stand to Taxi stand, Gopal More, Zilla School More, Bhatbandh, Goshala More, Bongabari. All of these areas are either in the vicinity of heavily vehicle burdened roads or railway station. Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Sajina (Moringa oleifera) plants were selected as these plants are very commonly found in this area. Carbohydrate in Neem leaves were significantly higher during monsoon at all sites excluding Station Para, Gopal More and Bhatbandh where no significant differences were noticed. Carbohydrate levels were reduced during winter in Nistarini College Premises, Railway Station, Bus Stand to Taxi Stand, Bhatbandh and Goshala More but reverse results were observed during winter in leaves samples collected from Station Para and Zilla School More. Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) indicates the tolerance capacity of plants species to air pollution and can be calculated to categorize sensitive, intermediate and tolerant species. Lowest and highest APTI value for Neem leaves during monsoon were recorded from Gopal More (13.88) and Goshala More (17.84) respectively while during winter season lowest APTI value of same species was observed in Deshbandhu Road (5.96) but highest value was experienced from Zilla School More (20.56). In case of Sajina leaves, during monsoon, maximum APTI was noticed in Nistarini College premises (15.97) and minimum value was recorded from Goshala More (12.72). In winter season lowest APTI was noticed in Bus stand to Taxi stand area (10.12) and highest value was from Station para near Maheswari Lodge (16.59).