Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXIII, Issue 1
Written by Elena BONCIU
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cellular activity in meristematic roots of garlic bulbs (Allium sativum) affected by Sclerotium cepivorum, from the point of view of the mitotic index, the frequency of mitosis phases and the frequency and types of chromosomal and nuclear abnormalities. Results obtained indicated large differences between samples; thus, the mitotic index decreased from 14.64% for the control to 4.36-10.25% for samples affected by S. cepivorum. Also, it has been found the following main types of chromosome aberrations and nuclear abnormalities: laggards, stickiness, rings, micronucleus and nuclear dissolutions. From this point of view, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and nuclear abnormalities was significantly higher in the case of variants affected by S. cepivorum, compared to the control variant (1.04% for control variant and 8.65-11.24% for variants affected by S. cepivorum). The results suggest that S. cepivorum has the ability to disturbance the cellular activity in A. sativum meristematic roots, which affecting the growth and development of plants.
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