Seasonal variations and effects of ambient air pollutants on palak (Beta vulgaris L. var. Allgreen) plants were investigated with respect to root, shoot length, number of leaves plant-1, leaf area and root and shoot biomass at a suburban site situated in dry tropical area of India, experiencing elevated levels of ambient air pollutants.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the impact of ambient ozone on mustard (Brassica campestris L. var. Kranti) plants grown under recommended and 1.5 times recommended NPK doses at a rural site of India using filtered (FCs) and non-filtered open top chambers (NFCs). Ambient mean O3 concentration varied from 41.65 to 54.2 ppb during the experiment.

Vegetables (Beta vulgaris L., Abelmoschus esculentus L. and Brassica oleracea L.) from the production and market sites of India were tested for Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb. At market sites, the mean concentration of Cu in cauliflower, and of Zn and Cd in both palak and cauliflower had exceeded the PFA standard. Zn at the production sites also exceeded the PFA standard in cauliflower.

This study examines the annual, seasonal and diurnal variations in the ambient concentrations of ozone at a suburban site of Varanasi, India, during 2002-2006. Prominent seasonal variations in ozone concentrations were recorded. Ozone concentrations were higher during the warmer months.