The effect of nuclear radiation on mutation chromosomes of shallot cells (Allium cepa)

Abstract

Environmental pollution by nuclear radiation has been known to endanger chromosomes. This research aims to analyze the abnormal forms of root shallot chromosomes which are irradiated by nuclear with various levels of radiation. This is a quasi-experimental research. The treatment group was given radiation through nuclear reactors at a dose of 11.88 rad, 8.69 rad, 2.01 rad, 1.28 rad, 1.15 rad, 0.26 rad, 0.00034 rad, 0.00016 rad, while the control group was without radiation. The staining of the preparations was carried out using Acetocarmine 2%. Reading preparations using a microscope with a magnification of 400x. The results of the study showed the emergence of various forms of chromosomal abnormalities. Abnormal forms that appear are pole to pole arrangement chromosome, unequal separation, binucleate cell, pulverized ball metaphase, sticky anaphase with broken bridge, chromosome rosette, abnormal chromosome fragment, early cell plate formation at late anaphase, sticky metaphase, binucleate cell with a bridge, chromosome fragments, binucleate cells, chromosome gaps, ball anaphases with a diagonal scattered anaphase bridge, and aberrant grouping at anaphases in a giant cell. The novelty of this preliminary study is that chromosomal abnormalities in the onion roots were found even in the very low radiation group. Large-scale research is required and their effects if eaten by animals or humans need further research.