1Dept. of Forestry, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Coochbehar - 736 165, W.B.
2Dept. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni 173230, H.P.
*Corresponding author.
Number of stomata and their size were observed in the leaves of Shorea robusta trees growing in the vicinity of the cement factory. It was observed that number of stomata increased as the distance from the factory increased. It varied from 663.3/mm2 (at 400m) to 821.7/mm2 (at 10 km distance). The direction also played a role in variation of stomatal count. Stomata varied from 655.4/mm2 (in southwest direction) to 786.6/mm2 (in west direction). Stomatal pore area was maximum (46.80 µm2) in leaves collected from west direction of the factory and minimum (37.63 µm2) in east direction of factory. As the distance from factory increased the stomatal pore area increased from 35.41 µm2 to 47.65 µm2.
Cement dust, stomata, stomatal pore area
