CYTOPHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF TRIBENURON METHYL HERBICIDE ON Allium cepa

Özet

Tribenuron-methyl is sulfonylurea herbicide generally used in agricultural weed control for cereal crops.  This herbicide kills weeds by stopping cell division and growth. A.cepa test is widely used as an environmental monitoring tool to detect cytotoxicity. The aim of the present work is to determine the cytotoxic, genotoxic and physiological effects of the tested herbicide. Cytotoxic effects of the herbicide Tribenuron-methyl were investigated by using Allium test. Also physiological effects (length of root and green leaf, chlorophyll and malondialdehyde contents) of the herbicide were examined on Allium cepa. Four days old seedling roots were treated with control group (distilled water), 37,5 mg/L, 75 mg/L, 150 mg/L and 300 mg/L concentrations of Tribenuron during 24, 48 and 72 hours. Tribenuron significantly decreased the Mitotic Index and increased chromosome aberrations (Anaphase bridge, sticky metaphase, disturbed anaphase, c-metaphase and micronucleus) at all treatment durations and concentrations compared to the control groups. It was found that tested herbicide increased malondialdehyde levels, decreased root and green leaf length and caused changes in chlorophyll content. Based on these results, tribenuron-methyl should be considered as a cytotoxic agent for plants. The use of this herbicide should be kept under control, considering it may pose an ecological risk as it may adversely affect the genomes of non-target organisms.