Effects of Railway Engine Emission on the Seedling Growth behavior of Woody Plant Species Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Delile

The vegetation growing close to the railway tracks are usually exposed to various types of toxic pollutant discharged from the locomotive diesel engines. In present studies, the seedling growth performance of Acacia nilotica responded differently in soils of Cantonment Station, Drighroad Junction, Malir Station and Landhi Junction as compared to Karachi University Campus (Control) soil. The seedling growth of A. nilotica (Linn.) Delile gradually increased in soil of Drighroad Junction, Malir Station and Landhi Junction. The seedling growth of A. nilotica in Cantonment soil was significantly (p<0.05) deceased as compared to the treatment of University Campus soil. The root, shoot, seedling lengths, circumference, root, stem and seedling dry weights of A. nilotica grown in soil of Cantonment Station showed significant (p<0.05) reduction as compared to University Campus. The growth parameters such as root, shoot, seedling lengths, number of leaves, leaf area, circumference, root, stem, leaf, seedling dry weights of A. nilotica grown in soil of Malir Station and Landhi Junction were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced as compared to University Campus soil.