Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Potency Screening of Two Pesticides on Allium cepa L

The cyto- and genotoxicological potency of diclofop-methyl (herbicide) and lindane (insecticide) was screened using Allium cepa L. test. Onion roots were exposed for 24 h to three doses, representing ¼, ½ and EC50 concentrations of each pesticide. Some microscopic endpoints as: mitotic and phase indexes, interphase nuclear volume and chromosomal aberration rate and types were evaluated. The results showed obvious concentration-dependence. Mitotic index decreased to 45-59% and 24-37%, while interphase nuclear volume was reduced to 49-54% and 36-42%, for diclofop-methyl and lindane respectively. Abnormal cell's frequency was considerably increased, too. Physiological and clastogenic types of chromosomal aberrations, as: stickiness, c-mitosis, c-anaphase, fragment and bridges, multipolarity and laggard chromosomes were observed in all corresponding concentrations. Data of this study showed that both analyzed pesticides (commonly used for decades in Albanian agriculture) can potentially induce cyto/genotoxic effect on crops and ultimately damage biota and human health.