KRUPA UNADKAT, VINAY PATEL AND PUNITA PARIKH
Abstract
To study the effect of increased Cd ion concentration on total chlorophyll content and anatomical structure of Lemna polyrrhiza L. the plants were cultured in Hoagland medium supplemented with various Cd concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ppm) and were harvested after 2, 4 and 6 days. The chlorophyll content was analyzed and histological changes in plant were observed under light microscope by taking hand sections and microtome sections. Effect of cadmium toxicity on Lemna polyrrhiza L. comprising significant structural alteration which reflects reduced metabolic activity. There was significant decline in the chlorophyll pigment in mesophyll cells as the exposure time and concentration of cadmium ion increased. Degradation of chloroplasts, disturbance in the arrangement of mesophyll cells and disruption in organization of epidermis of the plant were major symptoms of Cd toxicity.