Induction of chromatid aberrations by TEM and maleic hydrazide is differently affected by pretreatment of Vicia faba root-tip meristems with methyl iodide.

Treatment of Vicia faba main root meristems with methyl iodide (MeI) 2 h before challenge treatment with triethylene melamine (TEM) significantly reduced the yield of metaphases with chromatid aberrations, i.e., resulted in clastogenic adaptation. Combined treatment with MeI and TEM increased the aberration yield; MeI treatment alone (10(-3) M, 0.5 h) was without clastogenic effect. No protective effects were observed after MeI pretreatment and challenge treatment by maleic hydrazide (MH). The data obtained in V. faba are compared to those previously reported for E. coli.