Cytogenetic Activities of Fungicide on the Root Apicalmeristems of Onion Plant (Allium cepa L.)

Higher plants are recognized as excellent genetic models to detect environmental mutagens, and are therefore, frequently used in monitoring studies. When this study, the cytogenetic activities of systemic fungicide (Benomyl) were investigated in the mitotic cell division in onion plant (Allium cepa L.). Onion roots were treated with 1g/L, 2g/L and 3g/L concentrations of benomyl and distilled water as control at 3 hours, 6 hours and 12 hours duration. All the concentrations used, caused several abnormalities in mitotic cell divisions and the Mitotic Index in the onion root tip cells decreased when the concentrations of benomyl solution is increased. Based on our findings, it is reported that benomyl has some negative effects on mitotic divisions in onion root tip cells.