Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Potential of Thiocyclam in Root-Tip Cells of Allium cepa

Currently, Allium cepa as ahigher plant gain great interest as alternatives to mammals in monitoring pollution in the environment because of their direct recipients of agrotoxics. In this study, five doses of thiocyclam, (0.073, 0.146, 0.29, 0.59, 1.17 g/ml) solution were assessed for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to onion root tip cells for 24, 48 and 72h at room temperature. The doses represented the LC50 (dose that inhibited 50% of roots from growth), 1/2 LC50, 1/4 LC50, 1/8 LC50 and 1/16 LC50 for thiocyclam that were determined in a preliminary dose selection experiment. The findings indicated that thiocyclam generated cytotoxic effect rather than genotoxic effect.