Investigation of toxic effects encouraged by dithane fungicide on Allium cepa L. root tip cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of different doses of Dithane on Allium cepa L. root tips. Germination percentage, root length, weight gain, micronucleus (MN) frequency and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were used as indicators of toxicity. The seeds were divided into four (4) groups; one (1) as control and three (3) as Dithane treatment groups. Seeds in control group were treated with tap water and seeds in treatment groups were treated with 125, 250 and 500 ppm doses of Dithane during 72 hours. As a result, germination percentage, root length and weight gain decreased, micronucleus (MN) frequency and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were increased depending on the treatment dose in the seeds exposed to Dithane when compared with the controls. The results of microscopic examinations, Dithane fungicide encouraged chromosomal damages as fragment, sticky chromosome, chromosome bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, spindle abnormality, reverse polarity, c-mitosis and binucleated cell on root tip cells.