Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects of Synthetic Pesticide "Attack" on Root Meristems of <I>Allium cepa</I> L.

Abstract

Generally in agriculture farmers use pesticides to increase their yield by reducing crop losses by pests. Some chemical compounds used pesticides are mutagens. Present study evaluated the cytotoxic effect of synthetic pesticide Attack which is used instead of Furadanon root meristems of Allium cepa L. as a test system. The root meristems of A. cepa L. were treated with five concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) of the chemical pesticide Attack for 6 h duration. Exposure to different concentrations of pesticide showed an inhibitory effect on cell division in root tip cells of A. cepa and caused a general decline in Mitotic Index values. Additionally, a wide range of abnormal mitotic stages, were detected in treated cells when compared to control. The total percentage of aberrations generally increased in a dose dependant manner. Among these, frequently observed chromosomal abnormalities were despiralized prophase, disoriented prophase, vagrant prophase, diagonal metaphase, C ‐ metaphase, vagrant metaphase, clumped metaphase, star anaphase, diagonal anaphase, anaphase with two bridges and with multiple bridges, aticky anaphase, telophase stickiness, hyperchromasia, bi‐nucleate and 4 nucleate cells and micronucleus. The results of the present study clearly proved the sensitivity of Allium test and hence substantiate its use as a cytogenetic assay to assess the cytogenetic effect of chemical widely used as pesticides. The cytotoxic pesticides have potential to cause adverse environmental and health effects by inducing chromosomal abnormalities leading to mutations.