The Effect of Lambda-Cyhalothrin on Root Tip Cytology, Pigment Contents and Antioxidant Defense System of Allium cepa

In this study, toxic effects of the lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) in Allium cepa L. cells were investigated. Toxic effects were investigated by analyzing the leaf contents and the cytologic and antioxidant parameters. To this aim, different doses of LCT were applied to Allium cepa L. samples. As a result, all doses of LCT treatment significantly decreased the leaf pigments compared to the control. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and MDA level showed a concentration time dependent decrease after treatment. It was also found that LCT has a mitodepressive action on mitosis and produced clastogenic and aneugenic types of abnormalities in Allium cepa with decreased mitotic index depending on the dose of LCT. The data obtained in this study showed that plant bioassays can be used as an important indicator to detect possible genotoxicity of chemicals.