Cytogenetic effects of the insecticide (Drago) and herbicide (Fusilade) on the cellular characters of Vicia faba L

Abstract

Vicia faba L. plants were used to test the combined genotoxic effects of Fusilade (Herbicide) and Drago (Insecticide) and their interaction. Also, germination vigour, vegetative growth and biochemical parameters were used to test the combined physiological effects of two pesticides alone and in combination.To study the cytotoxic effects, the meristem cells in root tips of plant were treated with nine different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000 ppm) at four different time (3, 6, 12, 24 hrs.). The concentrations of the two pesticides were tested on growth of seeds of Vicia faba L. compared with control where the mean root length of seeds was measured at different times between 24, 48 and 72hrs. Furthermore, after 72h, root degeneration occurred turning the root tips into black colour, which wasn't measurable. lethal concentration LC50% was decreased with the increase in time which caused an increase in percentage of mortality using Probit tables .All the above treatments of two pesticides alone and in combination have been shown to decrease the mitotic index . In the combined pesticides treatments, the decrease in (MI) wasn’t like in the individual pesticide treatments which was less when compared withpesticides alone either herbicide or insecticide at the same concentration and duration. Increase the percentage of mutation frequency in each pesticide alone and the combined (Fus.-Dra.) after 6hrs of treatment whereas at the combined the relation was inversed when compared with control, indicating an antagonistic effect. Also, all treatments used have caused different kinds of mitotic abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations, which were generally as follow: Cmetaphase, chromosome disturbance, stickiness, breaks and fragments, laggard and bridges, multipolar and ring chromosome, micronuclei and binuclear cells. In addition the pesticides have been shown to decrease the protein and DNA and RNA contents below the control level.King Saud Universit