Cytomorphologic parameters in monitoring cytogenotoxic effects of fertilizer in Allium cepa L.

Abstract

The present investigation was done to assess cytomorphologic parameters as indicators of genotoxicity as it is a simpler method and could be suggested for rapid screening of the vast range of agrochemicals used all over the world. The excessive and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals is responsible for increasing the level of pollutants in the soil environment resulting in cellular and molecular damage to the plants. The cellular damage caused manifestation of the resulting oxidative stress due to pollutants which can go up to the level of DNA. The roots of Allium cepa were treated with 0.5 mg N ml concentration of ammonium nitrate fertilizer for 3, 6, 9 and 12 h, and in mitotic preparation of their respective root, mitotic index, phase indices and the genotoxic markers viz. chromosomal aberrations and binucleate cells were observed and the data statistically analysed. A significant decrease in mitotic index and increase in abnormality percentage as compared to control was observed which increased with the treatment duration. Chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, fragmentation, precocious movement, bridges and disorientations were observed in varying frequencies. A cytomorphologic study revealed that the interphase cell volume of cells of treated roots and their respective interphase nuclear volume were reduced as compared to control. The ratio between nuclear and cytoplasmic volume has been reported to relate to cell integrity. Both these markers viz. cytomorphologic and genotoxic can be used for assessment of the toxicity of agrochemicals including fertilizer; in our study, they have revealed the cytogenotoxic behaviour of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

Potential Increased Risk of Trisomy 18 Observed After a Fertilizer Warehouse Fire in Brazos County and TX

“…The effects of fertilizers on chromosomal behaviors using plant models have also been reported in other studies [38,39]. Genotoxic and chromosomal abnormality endpoints from plant studies remains relevant for toxicity and risk assessment of agrochemicals, including fertilizer [23]. Therefore, our findings may suggest the need to investigate the cytological aberrations and other mutagenic effects of fertilizers using mammalian experimental models.…”

“…Kumar and Sana demonstrated various chromosomal abnormalities in plants after exposure to high concentrations of fertilizers [37]. Similarly, Verma et al investigated the genotoxic effects of nitrogen fertilizers in plants and concluded that nitrogen fertilizer induced chromosomal aberrations, including fragmentation, bridges, and disorientations [23]. The effects of fertilizers on chromosomal behaviors using plant models have also been reported in other studies [38,39].…”

“…Similarly, exposure to organophosphate insecticides (OP) [16], air pollutants [17,18], and pyrethroids [19,20] were associated with chromosomal abnormalities in human reproductive cells. Furthermore, several studies demonstrated chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic effects associated with exposure to agrochemical fertilizers in fertilizer factory workers [21,22] and in exposed plant systems [23]. The products of fertilizer decomposition could also generate toxic products.…”

An evaluation for the standardization of theAllium cepatest as cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assay

“…A significant decrease in MI and increase in abnormality percentage compared to the control was observed with increasing duration of the ammonium nitrate treatment (Verma and Srivastava 2017). Chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, fragmentation, precocious movement, bridges and disorientations were observed in varying frequencies.…”

Bioassessment of Genotoxicity Due to Flux in Soil Nitrogen Dynamics Caused by Addition of Ammonium Nitrate

“…El-Din et al (2009) observed mutagenic potentialities of N fertilizers in animals also. Some reports showed the cytogenotoxic effects of fertilizers on Vicia faba and Allium cepa (Oney and Tabur 2013, Verma et al 2016, Verma and Srivastava 2017. A. cepa root tip bioassay has been considered as a classical test system to assay the chromosomal aberrations and to indicate the presence of mutagenic chemicals due to its kinetic characteristics of proliferation and possession of chromosomes suitable for cytotoxic study (Barberio et al 2011, Sharma and Vig 2012, Pathiratne et al 2015, Fatma et al 2018.…”