Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Potency Screening of WIDE-SPEC Pesticide on Allium cepa L. Root Meristem Cells

Abstract

Pesticides possess biological activity including genotoxic influence and can affect non target organisms. The cyto- and genotoxicological potency of wide-spec (Abamectin+Emaamectin benzoate) pesticide was screened using Allium cepa L. test. Onion roots were exposed for 24 h to ten concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 and 1ml.L^-1) of pesticide and 8 gm.L^-1 of cyclophosphamide as positive control. Some microscopic endpoints as: mitotic indices and chromosomal aberration types were evaluated. The results showed obvious concentration-dependence. Mitotic index decreased from 21.77% (negative control) to 11.97% (dose of 1.00). Abnormal cell's frequency was considerably increased, too. Root growth retardation was significant due to different doses. Physiological and clastogenic types of chromosomal aberrations, as: lagging, fragments, granule, bridges, polyploidy, stickiness, and micronuclei chromosomes were observed in all corresponding concentrations. Data of this study showed that analyzed pesticide (commonly used in Iraqi agriculture) can potentially induce cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on crops and ultimately damage biota and human health.

Key words: Allium cepa, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, pesticides.