Evaluation on Mutagenic Effects of the Three Heavy Metals on Vicia faba Plants

Abstract

The three heavy metals Pb, Hg and Cd were examined for the induction of meiotic abnormalities and changes in the M₂ seed storage protein banding patterns of Vicia faba plants. The used metal nitrate solutions induced a wide range of meiotic abnormalities. The most abundant of them were stickiness, break, lagging, bridges and disturbed phases. At the level of M₂ seed storage protein, the 3 tested metals caused changes in the protein banding patterns especially at the high molecular weight regions. The results showed that lead and mercury have more mutagenic potentialities than cadmium.