Investigating the Phytochemical Indices of Plantain (Platanus orientalis) Trees Located in Four Areas (1, 3, 6 and 11) of Valiasr Street in Tehran under Different Climatic Conditions and Environmental Pollutants

علوم باغبانی

Article 6, Volume 39, Issue 2 - Serial Number 66, June 2025, Pages 268-251   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jhs.2024.89321.1369

Authors

G.H. Homayouni; M.R. Raji^* ; A. Ehteshamnia; M. Aalifar

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khoram Abad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Climate change and environmental pollutants are effective on the growth of different plant species. Plants in general and trees in particular react to climatic and environmental changes. Air pollution and climate changes have a significant effect on the growth, quality and phytochemical characteristics of trees in urban green spaces, because chronic injuries are caused by continuous absorption of pollutants. The metropolis of Tehran is known as one of the most immigrant-friendly cities in the country. The main environmental problems of Tehran city are the lack of natural air ventilation, the persistence of pollutants, dryness of the air, the existence of dust, the noise and the destruction of natural ecosystems. Air quality is related to the chemical state of the atmosphere at any time and place. Like weather, air quality affects everyone.
 
Materials and Methods
The current research was carried out in the city of Tehran in the form of a completely random design with three replication. This research was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of ten-year climate changes and environmental pollutants on the chemical properties of plantain trees in 4 regions of Valiasr street of Tehran (regions 1, 3, 6 and 11). In this study, four areas of the city include Valiasr Street in area 1 from Tajrish Square to Parkway (average height above sea level 1611 meters and average slope 20.17), area 3 from Parkway to Hemat Bridge (average height 1501 meters and average slope 5.89), zone 6 from Hammet bridge to Valiasr intersection (height 1308 meters and average slope 5.17) and zone 11 from Valiasr intersection to railway square (average height 1152 meters above sea level and average slope 2.19) were selected for the study. Region 1 was selected as a clean or low pollution region, region 3 as a polluted region one, region 6 as a polluted region two and region 11 as a polluted region three. The obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA using SAS 9.4 software, comparison of averages was done with Duncan's test and graphs and statistical tables were drawn by Excel software. The difference of traits in three times was evaluated using t-test.
 
Results and Discussion
Data homogeneity test was not significant by Bartlett's test, which shows that the variances are homogeneous in four locations. Due to the homogeneity of the data and the non-significance of Bartlett's test, the data of this experiment were subjected to combined analysis. The results showed that the highest amount of ion leakage was obtained from regions 6 and 11. The highest relative humidity content was shown in regions 3 and 6. With the increase of environmental pollutants in regions 3 and 11 in compared to region1 ,the amount of anthocyanins and antioxidants increased. In addition, the activity of catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in plantain tree leaves showed a significant increase in areas with more pollution (11, 6 and 3) due to lower sea level height and slope gradient in compared to region 1. Many researchers have also stated in numerous reports the existence of a relationship between the place of growth and its effect on the quality and quantity of phytochemical compounds of plants. In general, air pollution and decreasing sea level height and slope led to increased ion leakage, malondialdehyde, relative leaf water content, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidants, phenols, and antioxidant enzyme activity.
 
Conclusions
In the present study, significant difference was observed in the phytochemical content, quantity and quality of these compounds, in plane trees (Platanus orientalis) growing along Valiasr Street in Tehran. Environmental conditions at the growth site play a key role in determining the quantity and quality of phytochemical characteristics by influencing the total amount of active substances, the composition of bioactive elements, and dry matter production. Among these, altitude above sea level is considered one of the most important environmental factors affecting the phytochemical composition of plants. In addition, other environmental factors that shape the climate of a region—such as temperature, humidity, and air quality—also influence the accumulation of physiological and phytochemical compounds in plants. Furthermore, Several studies have reported a relationship between the growing location and its impact on the quality and quantity of phytochemical compounds in plants.

Keywords

Altitude; Antioxidant; Flavonoid; Ion leakage; Malondialdehyde; Pollutants; Superoxide dismutase

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