Effect of herbicide glean on mitosis, chromosomes and nucleic acids in Allium cepa and Vicia faba root meristems.

Abstract

The effect of various treatments of glean on mitotic activity, chromosomes and DNA amounts in the root tips of A. cepa and V. faba has been investigated. This herbicide remarkably inhibited mitotic division and depressed the DNA and RNA in the root meristems of both plants. Glean induced chromosome damage in both plants comprised of mitotic abnormalities, chromosomal aberrations and chromosomal stickiness. The effect of this herbicide on mitosis in relation to its action on DNA and RNA and on the chromosomes is discussed.