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Effect of air pollution on peri-urban agriculture: a case study

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:37 authored by M Agrawal, B Singh, M Rajput, Fiona MarshallFiona Marshall, J N B Bell
Peri-urban agriculture is vital for the urban populations of many developing countries. Increases in both industrialization and urbanization, and associated air pollution threaten urban food production and its quality. Six hour mean concentrations were monitored for SO2, NO2 and O3 and plant responses were measured in terms of physiological characteristics, pigment, biomass and yield. Parameter reductions in mung bean (Vigna radiata), palak (Beta vulgaris), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and mustard (Brassica compestris) grown within the urban fringes of Varanasi, India correlated directly with the gaseous pollutants levels. The magnitude of response involved all three gaseous pollutants at peri-urban sites; O3 had more influence at a rural site. The study concluded that air pollution in Varanasi could negatively influence crop yield.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Environmental Pollution

ISSN

0269-7491

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

3

Volume

126

Page range

323-329

Pages

7.0

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Notes

Peri-urban agriculture is vital for the urban populations and economies of many developing countries. This paper measures the impact of gaseous pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone) around Varanasi, India, to reveal a significant decline in crop yields caused. In conjunction with Indian colleagues, Dr Marshall was the key architect of the research project.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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