Effects of lead heavy metal exposure on anatomical structure of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Krasunia Odeska)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of various concentrations of lead (Pb) heavy metal on the anatomical structure of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Krasunia Odeska). Wheat seedlings were cultivated under controlled conditions and treated with different concentrations of Pb (0, 10, 15 mM). After 28 days, root, stem, and leaf samples were collected for anatomical analysis. Pb stress caused thickening of the epidermis, exodermis, and endodermis in the roots, increased the diameter of cortex cells, and decreased the diameter of the stele and vascular bundles. In the stem, the epidermis and collenchyma cells thickened, while the diameter of the tracheids in the vascular bundles decreased. In the leaves, the length of the epidermis cells decreased, the length and width of bulliform cells increased, the sclerenchyma tissue thickened, and the thickness of the phloem in the vascular bundles decreased. In conclusion, lead stress induced significant anatomical changes in the root, stem, and leaf tissues of bread wheat. These alterations can be interpreted as the plant's attempts to develop tolerance to Pb stress.