An investigation into the genotoxic effects of pesticides used in agricultural areas using the allium and SMART methods

Random and excessive use of pesticides in agricultural lands can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. As a result, it is vital to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of action and genotoxicity potential of these chemicals. Therefore, this thesis aims to evaluate the genotoxicity potential of the Thiram and Methoxyfenozide pesticides using the Allium and Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) methods. In the Allium method, onion root tips were exposed to pesticide concentrations for 24 hours. At the end of the duration, preparations were made from the root tips, and the Mitotic Index (MI) and Chromosome Aberrations (CA) were detected under a microscope. The results of the Allium test showed that the MI value decreased compared to the negative control as the concentrations of thiram and methoxyfenozid increased. In the negative control, the MI was 6,94% ± 0,43 while this value dropped to 3.72% ± 0,35 for the highest concentration of thiram, which was 1 g/L. Similarly, the MI value of 7,28% ± 0,32 determined for the negative control in the case of methoxyfenozid decreased to 3,97% ± 0,47 with the application of the highest concentration of 0,002 mL/L. It was observed that both pesticides promoted the formation of chromosomal anomalies of the irregularity, bridge formation, vagrant, stickiness, and pole shift, as well as multipolarity types. In the SMART method, 72 ± 4-hour-old transheterozygous larvae obtained from the standard crossbreeding of mwh males and flr3virgin females were exposed to pesticides in the prepared instant medium at predetermined concentrations. Preparations were made from the wings of Drosophila that emerged in this environment, and clone induction frequencies and different wing trichomes were evaluated. In the SMART experiment, an increase in the concentrations of thiram and methoxyfenozid was noted to result in an increase in clone induction frequencies. It was recorded that the pesticides stimulated the formation of small uniform clones, to a lesser extent large uniform clones, and twin clones in the wings of transheterozygous adult individuals. The findings indicated that thiram and methoxyfenozid have genotoxicity potential in plant and animal systems. Therefore, it is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural practices and the safeguarding of human health to have a thorough comprehension of the genotoxicity potential of pesticides and a comprehensive evaluation of their conceivable impact on environmental factors.