Trends in Biosciences

The mutagenic efficiency of certain secretions (1-Butanol and 1-Hexanol) of heteropteran, bugs are assayed on the root tips cells of Allium sativum L 1-Butanol and 1-hexanol (alcohols) when applied on the root tips cells of A. satium, caused considerable disturbance during the course of mitotic division. The decline in mitotic index was greater at higher concentrations. The spectrum of mitotic abnormalities included disturbed chromosomes at prophase, un-orientation of chromosomes at metaphase, due to non-formation of spindles. Unequal separation of chromosomes, formation of anaphase bridges, tripolar grouping and unoriented chromosomes, fragmented chromosomes at prophase, disturbed chromosomes at metaphase, chromosomal stickiness, and disturbed anaphase due to un-orientation spindle. The chromosomal aberrations induced by these test compounds were gaps, chromatids breaks, pulverizations, clumping and cells with sticky chromosomes dicentric chromosomes and centromeric breaks, more frequently and regularly appeared in all the time intervals.