Transport pollution impact assessment on the Platanus orientalis L. physiological properties

The influence of vehicle pollution on the physiological properties of the woody plant Oriental plane tree ( Platanus orientalis L.) in the conditions of the city of Baku (Azerbaijan) is considered. To assess the physiological state of plants, a comparative analysis of indicators of delayed chlorophyll a fluorescence of leaves of trees growing in areas located at different distances from the highway was carried out. The pattern of changes in the various phases of the induction curve of the millisecond component of the delayed fluorescence of chlorophyll a was used to assess the state of photosystem II. The results of the study showed that both the donor side of photosystem II and the acceptor side exhibit a fairly high sensitivity to vehicle pollution. As a result, the efficiency of the photosynthesis process deteriorates under polluted conditions. This makes it possible to use P. orientalis as an indicator plant to assess environmental quality.