THE IMPACT OF AUTOMOBILE POLLUTED SOIL ON SEEDLING GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN SOME HIGHER PLANTS.

Rapid increase in automobile density and discharge of different types of pollutants from automobile are a serious issue for whole civilized world and in Bhakkar also. Vehicle emission from automobiles released an enormous quantity of toxic pollutants likewise nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon mono oxide, heavy metals particularly lead, cadmium in environment and produced harmful effects on germination and growth of plants. This study was aim to investigate the effect of automobile polluted soil on the growth of some tree species. In present study the variation in seedling growth performance of three different selected tree species namely, Acacia nilotica L., Albizia lebbeck L. (Benth.) and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. raised in roadside polluted soils of District Bhakkar, Pakistan were recorded in the pots. Results showed that root, shoot, seedling length, number of leaves, and seedling dry weight of Acacia nilotica grown in polluted road soils of Bhakkar-Khansar road showed a significant (p<0.05) decline. Statistical analysis of recorded data showed that root growth and leaf area of Albizia lebbeck in the soil of Bhakkar-Khansar road soil significantly (p<0.05) decreased as compared to control. Similarly, a significant (p<0.05) reduction in shoot, seedling length, number of leaves, leaf area and seedling dry weight performance of E. globulus in polluted soils of Bhakkar-Notak was recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]