Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series
Abstract
Weed control is one of the very important technological stages for sunflower, executed both pre-emergence and post-emergence. However, excessive use of herbicides may have some adverse effects on the normal development of cell division. One of the active substances used post-emergence frequently to sunflower crops is Propaquizafop (commercial name Agil).In order to determine the mitotic activity to sunflower under the influence of this herbicide, three treatment variants (V1/10 ppm; V2/20 ppm; V3/50 ppm) were performed along with an untreated control. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the mitodepresive effect of the herbicide at the same time with the increased of concentrations; as well as its genotoxic effect, quantified by the occurrence of several types of mitotic anomalies (metaphase and telophase stickiness, ring chromosomes and multinucleated cells).The results suggest genotoxicity and mutagenic potential of the Propaquizafop herbicide and the need to apply the integrated methods for crops protection to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity