Effect of artificial fertilizers on mitotic index and chromosome behaviour in Vicia hybrida L.

Abstract

This study was conducted in Suleyman Demirel University, Arts and Sciences Faculty, Department of Biology, Isparta, Turkey during 2008 to determine whether ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4] and potassium sulphate (K2SO4) are genetically harmful or not. Ammonium sulphate and potassium sulphate were used as artificial fertilizer in various concentrations (1, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 µM) to see their effect on mitotic index and chromosome behaviour in Vicia hybrida L. Levels of 1, 10 and 50 µM of both chemicals led to a significant increase in mitotic index. For example, mitotic index in root- tips of seeds germinated in distilled water was 0.16 while it was 0.15 at 1 µM, 0.20 at 10 µM and 0.25 at 50 µM in seeds germinated in media with (NH4)2SO4. In addition, mitotic index of seeds germinated in media with K2SO4 was 0.16 at seeds control, 0.17 at 1 µM, 0.18 at 10 µM and 0.23 at 50 µM. High concentrations caused gradual decreases in mitotic index. Various chromosome abnormalities were also observed in high concentrations.