CYTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE PESTICIDES PHOSDRIN AND BLADEX ON TRADESCANTIA AND VICIA FABA

Abstract

The cytological effects of the insecticide Phosdrin (mevinphos) and the herbicide Bladex on root tips of Tradescantia and Vicia faba were observed and compared with those of the chemical mutagen ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). In addition, plants of Vicia faba were sprayed prior to floral initiation and pollen mother cells examined for chromosomal abnormalities. Phosdrin and Bladex produced the same kinds of chromosome abnormalities as EMS, namely, fragments, bridges, multipolar anaphases and lagging chromosomes. Bladex produced a higher percentage (3.47%) of chromosome aberrations in root tips of Tradescantia than did Phosdrin (2.56%), but fewer in Vicia faba than did either EMS or Phosdrin. Bladex was more toxic to cells of Vicia faba. The greater percentage of chromosome fragments induced by both pesticides in Vicia faba may be the result of highly specific and localized action of the pesticides in heterochromatic regions. Vicia faba seedlings sprayed with Phosdrin had a greater percentage of chromosome aberrations in the pollen mother cells than were found in root tips after Phosdrin treatment. Bladex sprayed at the same concentration as Phosdrin (200, 400, 600 ppm) was lethal to the plants. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations induced by both pesticides deviated significantly from that of the control.

Genotoxic effects of some organophosphorus pesticides. III. In vivo chromosomal aberration bioassay in root meristems of Allium and Hordeum.

“…Such differences in the effectiveness of a chemical may be due to the differences in the deactivating/activating enzymes present in plants or mam The comparison of the actual aberrations as well as radiomimetic effectiveness revealed that Allium system is more sensitive than Hordeum. Such differences in toxicities were earlier observed in V. faba and Tradescantia following treatments with phosdrin and bladex (Ahmed and Grant 1972). Sparrow and Evans (1961) found a high correlation of nuclear volume and nuclear DNA content with radiosensitivity in higher plants thus indicating that cells of one plant system may be more radiosensitive as compared to the other.…”

Cytological and biochemical studies on the effect of some IGRs on zea mays.

“…This might indicate that maize is relatively less sensitive to chromosome breaks with the used IGRs. Differences between plants species in chromosome sensitivity to chemically induced breaks were reported by Ahmed and Grant (1972). Most of the observed bridges in the present work were sticky bridges which might be formed due to stickiness.…”

“…g. Reddy and Rao 1969, Ahmed and Grant 1972, Amer and Ali 1974, Amer and Farah 1976, Reddy and Rao 1981and Badr et al 1986). …”

Somatic chromosomal aberrations induced by benzoylphenylurea (XRD 473 and IKI 7899) in Vicia faba L. and Hordeum vulgare L.

“…Similarly, Ahmed and Grant (1972) noticed in Tradescantia, the occurrence of lower rates of breaks than in V. faba after treatments with phosdrin, bladex and the well known mutagen EMS. They concluded that chemically induced breaks depends on the sensitivity of the chromosomes of the plant species.…”

“…Such types of irregularities were also found after treatments with different pesticides (Ahmed and Grant 1972, Tomkins and Grant 1972, Pusztai and Vegh 1978, Allam et al 1980and Elnadi et al 1983). The most frequent types of mitoclassic effect which observed after different treatments with XRD 473 and IKI 7899 were abnormal metaphases and anaphases due to stickiness (Plate 1-2 and plate 11-2, 3) as well as lagging chromosomes (Plate I-5 and plate 11-6).…”