Cytological Effects of Fungicides

I. Mitotic effects of Vitavax-200 and Dithane S-60 on wheat and two related species

Abstract

Two commonly used fungicides Vitavax-200 and Dithane S-60 which are used to control many pathogenic fungi affecting wheat were applied to pure seeds of the species T. aestivum, T. durum and Ae. ligustica with the rate of 2gm/Kg of seeds. The fungicides caused highly significant reduction in mitotic index, significant increase in relative duration of metaphase stage, and high percentage of chromosomal aberrations mainly chromosomal bridges during anaphase stage. The aberrations induced by the fungicides Vitavax and Dithane are similar to aberrations induced by other pesticides, chemical mutagens and radiations. There was no correlation between the level of ploidy and the mitotic effects caused by the two fungicides.