The effects of cadmium, inoculation with either Bradyrhizobium or VA-
mycorrhizae and kinetin application as well as their interactions with cadmium on
growth, anatomical structure of both leaves and stems as well as yield and its
components in soybean plants were investigated. Cadmium treatment decreased
plant height, number of branches, leaf area and dry weight of shoot/plant. In addition,
photosynthetic pigments contents in the leaves and carbohydrates concentrations in
the shoots. pod number/plant. seed weight (g)/plant and 100 seed weight (g) were
also decreased. Calcium concentration in the shoot system as well as N, protein, P
and K percent in the seeds were decreased, while, Cd concentration in the shoots
was increased. Inoculation with either Bradyrhizobium or VA-mycorrhizae and kinetin
application increased all investigated parameters with the exception of Cd content in
shoots in Cd-polluted soil. It is interesting to mention that these treatments alleviated
the adverse effects of cadmium treatment and improved the plant growth. However,
kinetin application was the most effective treatment in this respect compared with
other treatments. Regarding the anatomical structure of plant, cadmium treatment
decreased stem diameter and thickness of cortex, xylem, phloem and pith tissues
thickness. Metaxylem vessels diameter was also decreased as well as thickness of
either leaflet blade or mesophyll tissue thickness due to reducing thickness both
palisade and spongy tissues thickness. The size of the midvein vascular bundle was
also decreased as indicated by its dimension.