The genotoxic potential of two heavy metals in inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.)

Authors

GIRJESH KUMAR
PRASHANT KUMAR RAI

DOI

10.3906/bot-0801-6

Abstract

The genotoxic effects of 2 heavy metals (mercury chloride and cadmium chloride) on the gametic cells of 6 inbred lines of maize were tested in terms of cytological abnormalities. Meiosis was normal under control conditions. During the treatments with mercury and cadmium there was a concentration-dependent increase in meiotic abnormalities in all the inbred lines. A wide spectrum of chromosomal aberrations in the treated sets was stickiness, followed by laggards, bridges, scattering, precocious movement, fragments, etc. Maximum chromosomal anomalies were observed in inbred line CM-142 in both the treatment sets of heavy metals. Compared to CdCl_2, HgCl_2 induced more chromosomal damage in all the inbreds. Of the 6 inbreds examined during the present investigation, CM-138 was the most tolerant to both heavy metals, while CM-142 was the least resistant.

Keywords

Zea mays, inbreds, mercury, cadmium, chromosomal anomalies

First Page

39

Last Page

46

Recommended Citation

KUMAR, GIRJESH and RAI, PRASHANT KUMAR (2010) "The genotoxic potential of two heavy metals in inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.)," Turkish Journal of Botany: Vol. 34: No. 1, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.3906/bot-0801-6
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/vol34/iss1/5