Genotoxicity of fenpropathrin and fenitrothion on root tip cells of Vicia faba.

The genotoxicity of fenpropathrin and fenitrothion on root tip cells of Vicia faba was studied. The symptoms were investigated about the mitotic index, the micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberration frequency of root tip cells of Vicia faba which were induced by different concentrations of fenpropathrin and fenitrothion (1 × 10(-10)-1 × 10(-2) g L(-1)). Results showed that fenpropathrin and fenitrothion could induce the micronucleus of root tip cells of Vicia faba. It occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Peaks were observed at 1 × 10( -6) g L(-1) fenpropathrin and 1 × 10(-4) g L(-1) fenitrothion, and micronucleus frequency reached 14.587 ± 1.511‰ and 14.164 ± 1.623‰, respectively. From 1 × 10(-10) g L(-1) to 1 × 10( -6) g L(-1) fenpropathrin and 1 × 10(-4) g L(-1) fenitrothion, the micronucleus frequency increased with the increase of the concentrations, but beyond this range, the micronucleus frequency decreased with the further increase of the concentrations. A similar trend was observed for mitotic index. Moreover, fenpropathrin and fenitrothion could induce various types of chromosome aberration, such as lagging chromosomes, chromosome fragment, chromosome bridge, multipolar, nuclear buds, karyorrhexis, etc.