Production of Mitotic Abnormalities by Magnesium Sulphate in Vicia faba L

Abstract

The cytological changes produced by magenesium sulphate were studied in root meristems of Vicia faba. Roots treated with different concentrations of magnesium sulphate showed the presence of chromosome breakage, achromatic lesions, chromosome clumping, lagging chromosomes, micronuclei etc. Spindle abnormalities leading to the formation of polyploidy and aneuploidy were also observed. Magnesium sulphate exerted mitodepressive effects in higher concentrations. The present studies have revealed the cytostatic and clastogenic properties of magnesium sulphate.