Cytological effects of fungicides. II. Chromosomal aberrations induced by Vitavax-200 and Dithane S-60 in meiotic cells of wheat and two related species.

Abstract

The meiotic effects of Vitavax-200 and Dithane S-60 on hexaploid wheat T. aestivum, tetraploid wheat T. durum and diploid related species Ae. ligustica. The treatment with the above fungicides caused a highly significant increase in the number of abnormal cells in different percentages. The kinds of abnormalities observed were lagging chromosomes, single bridges, multiple bridges, ring chromosomes and asynchronization within single cells. Chromosome stickinass observed might be the cause of the above abnormalities. It was concluded that Vitavax and Dithane are similar in their action to chemical mutagens. Moreover the increase in ploidy level was accompanied by the increase in number of abnormal cells.