Lead and cadmium at 100 and 200 ppm decreased length of either root or
shoot system and their fresh and dry weights as well as leaf area per plant in both
seasons. Photosynthetic pigment concentrations in the leaves; carbohydrate and
endogenous phytohormones (1M, GAJ and cytokinins) concentrations in the shoot
system were also decreased, while ABA and accumulatlon of both lead and cadmium
in the root and shoot systems were Increased. Cadmium was more concentrated in
the shoot, whereas lead in the plant reet Cadmium application led to more deleterious
effect compared with lead. On the other hand, inoculation with VA-mycorrhizae
increased all the above mentioned parameters, while suppressed not only the
accumulation of ABA In the shoot system, but also accumulation of the two applied
heavy metals in both root and shoot systems. Anatomically, treatments with lead and
cadmium decreased root diameter, cortex thickness, diameter of vascular cylinder and
metaxylem vessel diameter. Leaf blade thickness and mesophyll tissue thickness
were also decreased due to reducing both parlSade and spongy tissue thickness. The
size of the midvein vascular bundle was decreased as indicated by its width and
length. Inoculation with VA-mycorrhizae induced all the above mentioned anatomical
parameters. It is also interesting to mention that inoculation with VA-mycormizal fungi
alleviated the adverse effects of lead at all concentrations used and partially alleviated
effects of cadmium, leading to improving plant performance under the heavy metals
stress.