Cytological Studies on the Effect of Herbicides on Plant Cells <i>in vivo</i> I

Abstract

Recent striking progress of medicamental industries has promoted greatly the production and researches in the branch of agricultural chemicals. Under present circumstances, not only for commercial purpose but also from a scientific standpoint, the biological significance of various farm drugs is strongly requested, and the answer of these problems are highly desirable to be elucidated fundamentally at the cellular level. The effect of chemicals on tissue cells hitherto has been studied cytologically on fixed materials treated with chemicals. However, such routine cytological techniques are wanting in accuracy to confirm the effectiveness of farm drugs on plant cells.

Effects of Some Growth Substances on Mitosis

“…Regarding the cytotoxic effects of GA, the results agree with those obtained by Kato (1958). The results of 2, 4-D treatment are similar to those observed by Amer and Ali (1974), Crocker (1954), Gori and Maugini (1955) and Sawamura (1964). Stickiness was not observed with GA and it is probable that the bridges induced by this chemical were dicentric chromatid bridges due to rejoining of broken ends of chromosomes.…”

Cytogenetic effects of agricultural chemicals. III. Effects of hormones "planofix and lihocin" on chromosomal mechanism in relation to yield and yield components in chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

“…In addi tion to these agricultural chemicals, application of plant growth regulators containing synthetic hormones to boost up yields is the latest trend in crop production. Radio mimetic action of these growth substances has been demonstrated by several workers (Croker 1953, Gori and Maugini 1958, Kato 1958, Sawamura 1964). Some of these hormones which are used as growth promoters at lower doses, may prove toxic at higher concentrations.…”

Mutagenicity studies with 2,4,5-T on bacteria and mammalian germ cells

“…Very many such studies have been performed to date in plant and animal systems, and these have been reviewed by Grant [20]. Practically all the investigations performed in plant systems produced positive results [1,7,8,12,13,19,33,36,38,41]. But a question mark is placed against the conclusiveness of these results by one scientist who points out that a major criticism by non- geneticists carrying out cytogenetic studies in higher plants with chlorinated phenoxy acids is that the majority of studies have been of the Allium type and that the immediate chromosome damage observed may be a physiological-toxicological problem rather than genetic [ 151.…”