Ozone forming potential of tropical plant species of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state of India

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are emitted by many plants. In this study, sixty common plant species of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India were examined for VOC (isoprene and monoterpene) emissions. Plant species VOC emission rates ranged from undetectable to 75.2 μg g−1 h−1. Dalbergia sissoo exhibited a maximum VOC emission rate of 75.2 μg g−1 h−1. Ozone forming potentials (OFP) of the sixty plant species were also estimated using the method of Benjamin and Winer (1998). Maximum ozone forming potential of 77 g O3 (tree)−1 d−1 was observed in the case of Mangifera indica. Out of 60 species, 26 species (43.3%) had low OFP (less than 1 g O3 (tree)−1 d−1), 18 species (30%) had medium OFP (less than 1-10 g O3 (tree)−1 d−1) and 16 species (26.7%) had high OFP (more than 10 g O3 (tree)−1 d−1).