Cytogenetical Studies on the Effects of Some Chlorinated Pesticides

III. Concluding remarks

Abstract

Cytogenetic effects of Benzene hexachloride (BHC), Lindane, Aldrin, Heptachlor and Endrin on Lens culinaris, L. esculenta, Pisum sativum and P. arvense were studied through roottip, seed-soak and spray treatments. The probable mechanisms responsible for various type of chromosomal abnormalities and phenotypic alterations due to the treatment of these pesticides have been discussed in detail. Effects of these pesticides did not appear to be heritable in successive generation. But it is difficult to say that these chemicals are entirely safe from genotoxicity point of view. The appearance of multivalents and chromatin bridges suggests that these chemicals can affect genetic recombinations, which may lead to the loss of important factors or gain undesirable characters. The routine cytogenetic screening of standing crops may be one of the helping tool in maintaining the purity of germ plasm. Among all 5 screened chemicals BHC appeared to be most potent genotoxic agent and suggests to have more detailed mutagenic screening in other test systems also.