Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.

Genotoxic effect of ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], a PGR that has replaced calcium carbide as an agent for fruit ripening, was studied by using a root chromosome assay. Onion root meristems were cultured and analyzed after exposure with ethephon at concentrations of 200 ppm and 500 ppm...

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Main Authors: Joyce Sudandara Priya, Preethi Purushothaman, Cordilea Hannah, Sarah Matthew, Sowmya Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Communications in Plant Sciences 2014-04-01
Series:Communications in Plant Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://complantsci.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/complantsci_4_1_3.pdf
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spelling doaj-e9047e443ab84a37806ce35e1a40deb82020-11-25T00:19:20ZengCommunications in Plant SciencesCommunications in Plant Sciences2237-40272237-40272014-04-0141-21922Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.Joyce Sudandara Priya0Preethi Purushothaman1Cordilea Hannah2Sarah Matthew 3Sowmya Thomas4Madras Christian College, IndiaMadras Christian College, IndiaWomen’s Christian College, IndiaMadras Christian College, IndiaMadras Christian College, IndiaGenotoxic effect of ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], a PGR that has replaced calcium carbide as an agent for fruit ripening, was studied by using a root chromosome assay. Onion root meristems were cultured and analyzed after exposure with ethephon at concentrations of 200 ppm and 500 ppm for 2, 24, and 48 h. There was a time dependent decrease and an immediate toxic effect on dividing cells in mitotic index when compared to control (the mitotic indices of root meristems treated with 200 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h were 11.1%, 10.7%, and 8.9%, respectively; and with 500 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h the mitotic indices were 10.8%, 10.2%, and 9.0% respectively). The total chromosomal aberrations increased with prolonged exposures indicating duration dependent effect compared to control (the chromosomal aberrations of root meristems treated with 200 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h were 14.5%, 15.6%, and 34.0% respectively; and with 500 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h the chromosomal aberrations were 20.6%, 26.1%, and 39.8%, respectively). Chromosomal anomalies such as clumps and breaks were of frequent occurrence. This study proves the genotoxic effect of ethephon and emphasizes the judicial use of this compound as a PGR on edible plants and plant parts.http://complantsci.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/complantsci_4_1_3.pdfCytotoxicityChromosomal anomaliesOnion root meristems
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Joyce Sudandara Priya
Preethi Purushothaman
Cordilea Hannah
Sarah Matthew
Sowmya Thomas
spellingShingle Joyce Sudandara Priya
Preethi Purushothaman
Cordilea Hannah
Sarah Matthew
Sowmya Thomas
Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
Communications in Plant Sciences
Cytotoxicity
Chromosomal anomalies
Onion root meristems
author_facet Joyce Sudandara Priya
Preethi Purushothaman
Cordilea Hannah
Sarah Matthew
Sowmya Thomas
author_sort Joyce Sudandara Priya
title Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
title_short Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
title_full Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
title_fullStr Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
title_full_unstemmed Genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of Allium cepa L.
title_sort genotoxic effect of ethephon on the root meristems of allium cepa l.
publisher Communications in Plant Sciences
series Communications in Plant Sciences
issn 2237-4027
2237-4027
publishDate 2014-04-01
description Genotoxic effect of ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid], a PGR that has replaced calcium carbide as an agent for fruit ripening, was studied by using a root chromosome assay. Onion root meristems were cultured and analyzed after exposure with ethephon at concentrations of 200 ppm and 500 ppm for 2, 24, and 48 h. There was a time dependent decrease and an immediate toxic effect on dividing cells in mitotic index when compared to control (the mitotic indices of root meristems treated with 200 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h were 11.1%, 10.7%, and 8.9%, respectively; and with 500 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h the mitotic indices were 10.8%, 10.2%, and 9.0% respectively). The total chromosomal aberrations increased with prolonged exposures indicating duration dependent effect compared to control (the chromosomal aberrations of root meristems treated with 200 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h were 14.5%, 15.6%, and 34.0% respectively; and with 500 ppm ethephon for 2, 24, and 48 h the chromosomal aberrations were 20.6%, 26.1%, and 39.8%, respectively). Chromosomal anomalies such as clumps and breaks were of frequent occurrence. This study proves the genotoxic effect of ethephon and emphasizes the judicial use of this compound as a PGR on edible plants and plant parts.
topic Cytotoxicity
Chromosomal anomalies
Onion root meristems
url http://complantsci.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/complantsci_4_1_3.pdf
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