This study was conducted to investigate the changes in leaf physiological parameters to abiotic stress induced by different levels of cement dust. On day 15, Arachis hypogaea L. plants (sowing day was considered as day 0) were divided into six groups, and cement was sprinkled over plants with the help of hand pump, twice a week at T1 (5 g pot-1), T2 (8 g pot-1), T3 (10 g pot-1), T4 (15 g pot-1), T5 (20 g pot-1), and T0/control (0 g pot-1), until fruit maturity. Morphometric parameters such as root and shoot length, leaf area, and seed weight were significantly higher in T0, while the minimum was recorded in T5. Physiological analyses of leaves and roots revealed a remarkable reduction (p < 0.05) in sugar, amino acid, and protein contents, while the concentration of enzymatic antioxidants was increased in cement-treated plants. The concentration of abscisic acid in leaves was significantly higher in treatment groups as compared with control, while gibberellic acid concentration was low. Strikingly, cement dust decreases the level of leaf photosynthetic pigments, reduces stomatal conductance, and adversely affects photosynthesis. Leaf histological analysis revealed confirmatory evidence of stomatal closure, cell damage, reduced cell area, and abridged leaf thickness. Salient features of the present study provide useful evidence to estimate cement dust as a critical abiotic stress factor, which has adverse effects on photosynthesis, leaf anatomical features, stomatal functioning, and productivity. Our work opens new avenues for a deep portfolio of cement-based stress mediating pathophysiology in Arachis hypogaea.
Keywords: Abiotic stress; Arachis hypogaea; Cement; Leaf; Photosynthesis.