title: Phytotoxic and genotoxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles on garlic (Allium sativum L.): a morphological study.
abstract: The effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the root growth, root apical meristem mitosis and mitotic aberrations of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were investigated. ZnO NPs caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of root length. When treated with 50 mg/L ZnO NPs for 24 h, the root growth of garlic was completely blocked. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was estimated to be 15 mg/L. The mitosis index was also decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. ZnO NPs also induced several kinds of mitotic aberrations, mainly consisted of chromosome stickiness, bridges, breakages and laggings. The total percentage of abnormal cells increased with the increase of ZnO NPs concentration and the prolongation of treatment time. The investigation provided new information for the possible genotoxic effects of ZnO NPs on plants.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, PR China.
authors.forename: Talgar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaymurat
authors.forename: Jianxiu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Changshan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhikun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yuxue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yichun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005737:Garlic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009153:Mutagens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D015034:Zinc Oxide