Morpho-anatomical responses of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. to induced cadmium and lead stress

Effect of different concentrations of cadmium (0, 5,15, 30, 50 mu g/g of soil) and lead (0, 25, 50,100, 200 mu g/g of soil) on morphological and anatomical features of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. was studied at pre-flowering, flowering and post flowering stages. Morphological attributes, like number of leaves per plant, total leaf area of the plant and single leaf area, dry mass of stem, root and leaf, length of shoot, root and plant, size of stomata and stomatal pore, and the density of stomata on both epidermises were significantly reduced under metal stress at all the developmental stages. Trichome length on both epidermises increased while their density decreased under metal stress. Under cadmium stress, proportion of pith and vasculature decreased but cortex increased in the stem. Under lead stress, proportion of pith and vasculature increased but cortex decreased in the stem. In the root, proportion of vasculature and pith increased and cortex decreased in response to both cadmium and lead stresses. Dimensions of vessel element and xylem fibre in the wood of stem and root decreased under the cadmium and lead stresses. Decrease in density of vessel element in the stem and root with advancement of age was more pronounced in plants grown under cadmium and lead stresses.