Effect of Paradichlorobenzene on the Somatic Chromosomes and Mitosis of Lens esculenta (L.) Moench

Abstract

Effect of paradichlorobenzene on the somatic chromosomes and mitosis of Lens esculenta (L.) Moench. var. microsperma was studied after giving prolonged treatment of 4-48 hrs under controlled conditions. The germiability and growth was inversely proportional to amount and duration of PDB treatment. Various types of mitotic and chromosomal anomalies were observed. These included contraction and condensation of chromosomes, precocious separation of chromatids, chromasomal fragmentations, chromosome bridges, tetraploid cells, binucleate cells etc. Chromosome breaks were generally restricted to secondary constrictions, satellites, heterochromatic regions and rarely to centromere regions. The potentialities of PDB as a mutagenic chemical had been emphasized.