Cotoneaster plants at the rescue- can manage air pollution

Traffic and busy road leads to lot of air pollution. Horticulture department has come up with the initiative to reduce this air pollution using plants. Scientists have named Hairy-leafed and bushy cotoneaster as ’super plant’. Cotoneaster facilitate the absorption of pollution on busy roads.

Researchers from RHS ( Royal Horticultural Society), UK compared various kind of hedges like western red cedar, hawthorn, cotoneaster and noticed these shrubs have the potential to absorb air pollution.

Scientists carried out experiments by planting cotoneaster franchetti and other hedges at the busy roads and quieter roads. The observation showed the super plant had 20% more efficiency in soaking up pollutants when compared to other hedges. Also it was noticed that these plants had a little effect on busy roads.

But in case of highly busy roads these plant type with more intricate, denser canopies and rough & bushy leaves like cotoneaster were the most efficient.

It was recorded that considering a week time, 1m long well-controlled dense hedges will soak up the same quantity of pollution that a vehicle releases in a 500-mile drive.

She advised on growing cotoneaster on busy road side particularly pollution hotspots. This will boast nature and control the pollution. A Blend of species would be remarkable.
When a case study with 2056 individual was performed, it was discovered that a 3rd (33%) were impacted by air pollution and rarely 6% are implementing necessary measures in their gardens to reduce it.

When YouGov evaluated, 86% replied that they attended the ecological issues, while 78% worried because of climate alterations, and the RHS is wishing to harness that heed to motivate individuals to consider making a better environment for their garden.

Scientists are trying hard to amplify the effect of pollution control by hunting additional new super plant.

Prof. Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director, Science & Collections claimed that if new super plant with distant features merged with other plants offer amplified benefits while offering much required home for wildlife.

RHS researchers are moving on to Hilltop center, charity’s garden, Wisley, Surrey. Here all the necessary infrastructure will facilitate them to enhance research.

For example they have identified ivy wall cover is a potent cooling climber for buildings, and privet & hawthorn enables reduction of localized flooding and heavy summer rainfalls. It is seen that if these plants are grown in zone where environment problems are common then, climate alterations can be controlled.