THE EFFECTS OF GLYPHOSATE ISOPROPYLAMINE ON MITOTIC ACTIVITY, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AND PEROXIDASE ACTIVITIES OF Allium CEPA L. ROOT TIP CELLS

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide that can widely be used in agricultural and non-agricultural fields. Glyphosate isopropylamine affects the inhibition of the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids, and also that of some enzymes involved in the shikimic acid pathway. The aim of this research was to study the effects of different concentrations of glyphosate isopropylamine (0.5, 1, 2 and 5%) on the mitotic activity in Allium cepa L. root tip cells and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activities in Allium cepa L. roots. Glyphosate isopropylamine concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2% did not lead to a significant change in the mitotic activity compared to the control group. However, for the concentration of 5%, a steep decline was observed in 48-h treatment of the substance, in comparison to that of 24 h. Total SOD activity decreased in the 24-h treatment group of glyphosate isopropylamine compared to the control group, whereas with the concentrations of 2 and 5% no SOD activity was observed. However, the POX activity increased only with 1% concentration, with regard to the control group, whereas it did not change with the other concentrations.