The ficus, grass and commercially important crop plants (sugarcane, wheat & maize) were evaluated as a phytotool of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni) around Jamkhandi. The soil samples at a depth (0 – 20cm) and test plant leaves were taken from different sampling sites viz, S1, S2, S3,S4, S5 and S6 on state highway with high traffic roads passing through the Jamkhandi (Karnataka) were determined by AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). Results showed that both soil and test plant species contained elevated levels of the metals. It was found that the primary source of the contamination occurs mainly by the vehicular emissions. The increased circulation of toxic metals in soil , ficus & other test plant species may result in the inevitable build up of such xenobiotics in food chain. The variation in heavy metal concentrations is due to changes in traffic density and anthropogenic activities. The increased circulation of toxic metals in soil, grass, ficus, and crops results in the inevitable buildup of xenobiotics in the food chain. From the results it is concluded that ficus , grass and crop plants can be used as phytotool to monitor heavy metal pollution in roadside plants.
