Sensitivity of the mitotic cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to insecticides on various stages of cell cycle

In this study, the genotoxic effects of insecticides in different phases of cell cycle were investigated in the mitotic cells of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The seeds of H. vulgare L. Var. Karan 4 were treated with different concentrations (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5%) of insecticides alphamethrin (AM) and monocrotophos (MP) for 6 h after synchronization of cells in G(1), S and G(2) phase of cell cycle with the help of various presoaking durations (7 h, 17 h and 27 h.). Positive and negative control was run parallel in the form of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and distilled water, respectively. The data indicate that higher dose of alphamethrin and monocrotophos produce toxicity, chromosomal aberrations and mitotic aberrations in Hordeum vulgare L. The present study indicates the genotoxic potential of the insecticides AM and MP and it also showed that S-phase of cell cycle was more sensitive compared to the G(1) and G(2) phases. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.