Genotoxic Effects of Carbendezim (fungicide) on the Root Apicalmeristems ofAllium cepaL.

Abstract

Higher plants are recognized as excellent genetic models to detect environmental mutagens, and are therefore, frequently used in monitoring studies. The genotoxic potential of carbendezim (fungicide) was investigated by using chromosome aberration in Allium cepa L. root tip cells. In this study, the effects of Carbendezim, a systemic fungicide were investigated in the mitotic cell division in onion (Allium cepa L.) root tip cells during germination. Allium cepa L. roots were treated with 1g/L, 2g/L and 3g/L concentrations of Carbendezim and distilled water as control at 6 hours, 12 hours and 18 hours duration. All the concentrations used, caused several abnormalities in mitotic cell divisions and the Mitotic Index in the onion root tip cells decreased when the concentrations of Carbendezim solution is increased. The total percentage of aberrations generally increased in a dose and time dependent manner.