The effects of coal-smoke pollutants on the leaf epidermal architecture in Solanum melongena L. variety pusa purple long

Abstract

In Solanum melongena var. Pusa Purple Long, the density of stomata, the stomatal index and the size of stomatal pore and epidermal cells all decrease on long-term exposure to coal-smoke pollutants, while the frequencies of epidermal cells and trichomes increase. Trichome length decreases on the upper surface, but increases on the lower surface of leaves. Considerable variations of trichome type, frequency and distribution were observed on both the leaf surfaces of S. melongena grown near the Thermal Power Plant Complex of Kasimpur, West Uttar Pradesh, India.