The effects of cadmium on the anatomical structures of different vegetative parts, namely root, stem and leaf of chickpea, Cicer arientinum L. was studied. Four different concentrations of CdCl2 e.g. 250, 500, 750 and 1000 μM were considered as treatments alongside non treated samples (control). In case of root anatomy decrease of root diameter, root cortex area, thick walled endodermal layer and reduced number of metaxylem vessels were observed compared to control. Similarly, stem diameter, cortical area, size and number of xylem vessels were decreased in Cd treated stem. However, large and increased number of trichomes had been found in Cd treated stem samples with deposition of phenolic compounds in vessels with increasing concentration of Cd. Considerable less toxic effects were observed in leaf anatomy except decrease in leaf thickness, reduced vascular area and closure of stomata in comparison to control sample. All such plant anatomical alterations indicated adverse effects as well as tolerance of chickpea up to certain concentrations of heavy metal to cope up with the changing environment. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(1): 45-52, 2020 (January)

Recent investigation on the root, stem, leaf and petiole anatomy of Momordica charantia L. completed the detailed anatomical study of the genus Momordica from Bangladesh. Root has tetrach vascular bundles where thick patches of sclerenchyma cells encompassed the vessel cells. Five angular ridges and furrows are visible through stem transverse section typical to Cucurbitaceae. Total nine open, bicollateral fibro-vascular bundles are observed in stem crosssection where three large are in the center and others each are under the ridges. Midrib of the leaf is characterized by several double and scarcely seated stalkless globular cystoliths in the lower epidermis. Configuration of petiole is octagonal in shape with eight ridges where seven fibro vascular bundles situated as a ring. Stem and leaf has multicellular, unisireate blunt ended conical shaped trichomes where petiole has similar trichomes with both blunt and pointed head. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 27(1): 69-74, 2018 (January)