Impact of Arsenic Stress on Leaflets and Stipes (Frond Petiole) Anatomy of Pteris vittata Linn. and P. ensiformis Burm.

Heavy metals particularly Arsenic has been reported to alter the internal structures of plants in various ways due to higher levels of toxicity. The impacts of varying concentrations (0 mg/Kg, 30 mg/Kg, 90 mg/Kg and 150 mg/Kg) of Arsenic contamination on leaflet and stipe anatomy of Pteris vittata and P. ensiformis were investigated. The aim was to assess how Arsenic contaminations influence the anatomical properties of these plants. One fernlet was transplanted into each pot containing 5 Kg of soil treated with different concentrations of arsenic. After 12 weeks of planting, the transverse sections of the leaflets and stipes in all the treatments were made, stained and mounted for microscopic observation. The result showed slight changes in the shape and reduction in thicknesses of epidermal and mesophyll cells of P. vittata unlike P. ensiformis in which the anatomical properties changed and reduced drastically as the Arsenic concentration increases. The lethal impact was observed in the 150 mg/Kg treatment of P. ensiformis on the fourth week as the plants died. Also, the effect of Arsenic was minimal on the stipe of P. vittata unlike P. ensiformis. Therefore, this result further affirmed that Arsenic has low negative impact on the internal structures of P. vittata compared to P. ensiformis.