Evaluation of the Complex Use of Plant Test-Systems to Determine the Nature and Intensity of the Mutagenic Background of the Environment

Abstract

Aim: A comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of plant test-systems as biological objects for the identification of the specifitown of the effect of mutagens on the hereditary apparatus. Materials and methods: With the use of test-systems (determination of the gonadotoxitown of plant pollen grains, the Allium cepa-test and the use of celandine greater Chelidonium majus as an accumulative phytoindicator) was analyzed the ecological situation of the areas in Ivano-Frankivsk region. The samples of soil, water, generative and vegetative organs of plants were taken in the territories of the Carpathian region and tested in the following areas: ecologically safe, conditionally ecologically safe and ecologically dangerous areas. Results: Inhibition of mitotic activity in cells of the primary meristem of Allium cepa roots grown in water samples taken in chemically polluted Kalush and Burshtyn and stimulation of mitosis in water samples from Stetseva, was determined. The town Kosiv is considered conditionally ecologically clean, a control district. The indices of chromosomal aberrations frequency were high in plants from the chemically polluted Burshtyn (3.98±0.31) %, Kalush (2.95±0.25) % and village Stetseva (3.36±0.39) %, and dominated by controls 4.57-fold; 2.92-fold and 3.86-fold, respectively. Conclusions: With the help of a comprehensive study of two test-systems (determination of the fertility of plant reproductive structures and the Allium cepa test), we have proven an increased level of xenobiotics in the water, soil and air of the chemically polluted territoties of Precarpathian region. The use of Chelidonium majus as a test-object with metal-accumulating properties is a promising index for the detection of substances of a chemical nature (heavy metals) in ecological areas of the Ivano-Frankivsk region.