Ultrastructural changes in the root cells of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] induced by low levels of cadmium in the medium

The studies on the ultrastructure of the root cells of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] exposed to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mM Cd (cadmium as CdCl₂) for 6 days were made. The electronmicroscopic pictures revealed that Cd increased the vacuolation, damaged the subcellular structures like membranes, organelles and cytosol. Furthermore, electron dense globules of different sizes were noticed indicating that heavy metals like Cd get compartmentalized thus perhaps providing a mechanism to prevent further damages to the root cells.