Phytotoxicity of gaseous limit and aromatic hydrocarbons in relation to some agricultural plants

The authors of the article determine the phytoxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons in various concentrations in relation to some agricultural plants and the ability of these plants to accumulate hydrocarbons. This is done for the first time on the basis of field studies of plantings at different distances from the enterprise for the production of carbon black, which is a source of gaseous saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as after exposure of these mixtures to methane, phenol, benzene and toluene. The objects of study were Phaseolus vulgaris, Hordeum vulgare and soft spring wheat called "Memory of Aziev". Statistically significant changes in the pigment complex of plants, expressed in a decrease in the content of pigments and carotenoids, an increase in the ratio of b and a chlorophyll under the action of hydrocarbons were revealed. The activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme tended to initially increase, in response to pollution, and to a subsequent decrease under the action of higher concentrations and high toxicity of the gas. Plant peroxidase activity increased 1.5–7 times with an increase in the concentration of toxin in comparison with the control analogues. According to the degree of phytotoxicity, the studied gases are arranged in the following sequence: phenol > mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons > benzene > toluene > methane. Phaseolus vulgaris turned out to be the most sensitive to the action of hydrocarbons, and also capable of active absorption of hydrocarbons.