Cytogenetic Effects of Urginea maritima L. Aqueous Extracts on the Choromosomes by Using Allium Test Method

Abstract

The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of extracts of Urginea maritima L., belonging to the family Liliaceae, were investigated with Allium test which is a plant test method. The bulbs of Allium cepa were treated with 2%, 4%, 6% of U. maritima aqueous extracts and a 20 ml/l solution of Vydate which is a chemical pesticide. Meristem cells of A. cepa root tip were prepared according to Feulgen squash procedure after stained with feulgene to identify the chromosomal aberrations (breaks, fragments, sticky). All observed data were compared statistically. As a result, the chromosomal aberrations were increased by the increase of dose and application time in all extracts of U. maritima and Vydate solution and the mitotic index (MI) was significantly reduced. The extracts of U. maritima were less genotoxic and cytotoxic than Vydate. It is stated that the usage of U. maritima extracts will be less harmful than chemical pesticides in plant protection.