Effect of Diethyl Sulphate on Rhizoclonium Kuetz

Abstract

The filaments of Rhizoclonium kuetz were treated with 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% of dES for 9 hrs at pH 7 and temp. 20°C in dark. 0.05% was found ineffective while 0.1% and 0.15% induced mitotic disorders like laggings, bridges, micronuclei and changes in the orientation of anaphasic axis. Normal nuclear division was restored between 72 hrs and 168 hrs after treatment, except indication of lethality of 0.15% by the presence of micronuclei even after a month. Deformation of cells, change in the number of nuclei per cell and increase in the diameter of nuclei were seen in 0.1% and 0.15% treated filaments after 168 hrs.