Effect of gaseous pollutant on vegetable crops and its controlling

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
² Department of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: munfarida@uinsby.ac.id

Abstract

A variety of air pollutants have known harmful effects on human health and the environment, including effects on plants. In Indonesia, these pollutants are the products of combustion from industrial areas and transportation sectors. The effect of air pollution on plant morphology and physiology has been studied. The effects of air pollution on plants are widely seen and damage all plants. This study analysed the effects of gaseous pollutant on vegetable crops, namely, lettuce (Lactuta sativa L) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L). The objective of the research was to analyse the effects of exposure of gaseous pollutant on growth of lettuce (Lactuta sativa L) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) in term of both morphology and physiology; thus, from the research we can control vegetable crops from air pollution. Growth parameters include the number of leaves, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, number of chlorophyll, and stomata index. This research was conducted on Padjadjaran University Greenhouse, Jatinangor. Lettuce and cucumber were given three treatments, plant was contaminated with gaseous pollutant derived from a 2-stroke engine: plants inside and outside the chamber were not contaminated. The results showed that gaseous exposure from 2-stroke engine more affects the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) than cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L), especially for the following parameters: plant height, dry weight, and fresh weight. Based on the study, air pollutant controlling on vegetable crops includes setting vegetable crops land away from industrial area and transportation sectors, then avoiding open burning after harvesting.