Effect of Substituted Ureas on Plant Cells I

Cytological effects of isoproturon on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa

Abstract

Isoproturon, a substituted urea herbicide, was tested to study the possible effects on the root growth, macromolecular biosynthesis, and mitoses in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. The compound exerted dose-dependent root growth retardation. Inhibition of macromolecular biosynthesis as observed with the treatment of isoproturon possibly led to the mitodepression. Induction of various cytological abnormalities suggests that isoproturon is highly turbogenic (spindle poison) rather than clastogenic. Moreover, induction of chromosome breaks in addition to various mitotic abnormalities may lead to mutagenic events.