Genotoxic effects of raxil on root tips and anthers of allium cepa l

Abstract

The genotoxic effects of fungicide Raxil, active substance tebuconazole in both mitotic and meiotic cell divisions of Allium cepa L. were studied. The bulbs with roots of Allium cepa L. were treated with different concentrations of Raxil (1800 ppm, 2400 ppm, 4200 ppm, 6000 ppm) for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. For mitotic studies, the root tips of Allium cepa L. after having grown to a certain length were stained accoording to aceto orcein squash procedure. To determine the effects of Raxil on meiotic cell division was used M1 generation. All concentrations and treatment periods of Raxil induced a number of chromosomal aberrations in root tip cells and in anthers of Allium cepa L. Additionally Raxil decreased the frequency of mitotic index and caused pollen fertility. A linear relationship was observed between increase of chromosomal abnormality with decrease of mitotic index and pollen fertility. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.