Effects of the s-Triazine Herbicide Turbutryn on Mitosis, Chromosomes and Nucleic Acids in Root Tips of Vicia faba

Abstract

Actively dividing root tips of Vicia faba were treated with 4 different concentrations of turbutryn for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The concentrations used were 4, 20, 100 and 500 ppm of the herbicide. Almost all treatments exerted a mitodepressive action and resulted in reductions in the amounts of DNA and RNA. Turbutryn produced a number of chromosomal anomalies. The types of abnormalities induced are comprised of mitotic abnormalities, which indicate an effect on the spindle apparatus, chromosomal stickiness and chromosomal aberrations including chromosome breakage. The mitodepressive action of turbutryn is remarkably associated with the ability of this herbicide to reduce the amounts of DNA and RNA and its capacity to induce chromosomal anomalies. © 1986, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.