Paper Title
Effect of Pollution on Total Chlorophyll Content in Temperate Species Growing along National Highway 5 in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract
One of the most common impacts of air pollution on plant species is the gradual disappearance of chlorophyll and concomitant yellowing of leaves, which might be related to a decrease in the capacity of photosynthesis. In the present study effect of pollution on total chlorophyll content of some selected plant species alongside the National Highway 5 from Solan to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh was assessed. Six commonly grown plant species along the National Highway 5 viz. Debregeasia hypoleuca, Rubus ellipticus, Quercus leucotrichophora, Hypericum oblongifolium, Punica granatum and Grevillea robusta were selected for the study. The study revealed that TCH varied significantly in different species where the highest TCH was observed in case of Rubus ellipticus species (2.85 mg/g) and lowest value was observed in Hypericum oblongifolium (2.00 mg/g). At different seasons TCH was found to be significantly different in all the species and the highest TCH was observed in case of Quercu sleucotrichophora species (3.01 mg/g) during the monsoon season. TCH was significantly affected by distance from the National Highway. Except for Grevillea robusta species, significant reduction in the TCH of plant leaves growing in higher polluted site was compared as compared to less polluted ones. There is a need to develop green belt for the betterment of environment and human being in the study area.� Index Terms - Pollution, Seasonal effect, Temperate species, Total Chlorophyll Content.