Abstract
Abiotic stress has a negative effect on plant growth and development. In current study Ficus benjamina plant was exposed to road dust to analyze the effect on plant stress, various photosynthetic pigments and their derivatives. Dry dust was sprinkled twice a week at T-0 (control), T-1, T-2 and T-3 (0, 1, 3 and 5 g plant(-1) respectively) for a period of 4 months in green house. Stress hormone (abscisic acid) was found significantly higher in leaves and roots of treatment groups. Chlorophyll showed higher (P<0.05) trend in T-0 while lower was observed in T-3. Carotenoid contents showed inverse association (P<0.05) with dust deposition. Higher (P<0.05) porphyrin contents were observed in T-0, while lower in T-3 plants. Chlorophyllide contents were recorded maximum in T-0. Pheophytin contents were significantly higher in T-0. Dust induced abiotic stress and decreases photosynthetic pigments in treatment plants. Pattern of pigment expression is different in control and dusty environment; however, photosynthetic pigments and their derivatives respond inversely to dust deposition on plant leaves. This study suggests that roadside dust deposition induces stress in F. benjamina plant and degrade not only leaf chlorophyll but all the intermediate derivative pigments in chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. (C) 2017 Friends Science Publishers