Abstract
Irrigation with marginal quality water has emerged as a potential alternative of water in agriculture mainly water scarce regions around the globe. Most of the cases, the potential hazards of heavy metal accumulation in various plant parts are usually ignored. The current study was conducted to investigate heavy metals induced anatomical changes in the stem of oil bearing and scented Rosa species irrigated with treated and untreated wastewater. Chemicals and minerals were in acceptable range in sweet or canal water and treated wastewater (TWW) while higher heavy metal contents [cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb)], electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand than permissible levels were found in untreated wastewater (UTWW). Four species of Rosa viz., Rosa damascena, R. bourboniana, R. Gruss-an-Teplitz, R. centifolia were assessed for their response to wastewater. The results indicated that TWW considerably enhanced parenchymatous tissues like xylem, phloem and vascular bundle and collenchyma (cortex and pith) of R. Gruss-an-Teplitz whereas R. centifolia produced minimum values. The same trend was also recorded in epidermal thickness during both years of experiment. Rosa centifolia had higher metal concentration than other species in stems thereof it was anatomically the most affected. It is proposed that R. Gruss-an-Teplitz verified to be highly impervious whereas R. centifolia was most vulnerable species for germination under polluted waters. It is also strongly recommended to treat UTWW by some extent to use as an alternative source to fresh water. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publishers