SpringerLink
Log in

Multiple toxic effects of tetraconazole in Allium cepa L. meristematic cells

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The application of pesticides to get more agricultural products is increasing day by day. The use of a huge amount of pesticides raises public concerns about safety. Tetraconazole is a widely used and successful fungicide. Possible toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effects of different doses of tetraconazole (1.00 mg/L, 5.00 mg/L, and 10.00 mg/L) were evaluated on the meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. root tips by means of physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical, and anatomical parameters. EC50 value for tetraconazole in terms of growth inhibition was calculated as 6.7 mg/L. Increasing doses of tetraconazole resulted in reduced germination ratio, root length, and weight gain. Total activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content were increased as a result of oxidative stress. As an evidence of genotoxicity, mitotic index (MI) level decreased, while scores for micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) rose. In addition, various meristematic cell damages were detected in root tips of tetraconazole applied bulbs. As a result, the multiple toxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effects of tetraconazole fungicide were demonstrated through a wide range of parameters on A. cepa, which was found to be a versatile tool for testing hazardous pesticides.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

References

  • Abbassy MA, Marzouk MA, Nasr HM, Mansy AS (2014) Effect of imidacloprid and tetraconazole on various hematological and biochemical parameters in male albino rats (Rattus norvegious). JPSPA 2(3):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Akgündüz MÇ, Çavuşoğlu K, Yalçın E (2020) The potential risk assessment of phenoxyethanol with a versatile model system. Sci Rep 10(1):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Amer MM, Shehata MA, Lotfy HM, Monir HH (2007) Determination of tetraconazole and diniconazole fungicide residues in tomatoes and green beans by capillary gas chromatography. Yakugaku Zasshi 127(6):993–999

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrade LF, Davide LC, Gedraite LS (2010) The effect of cyanide compounds, fluorides, aluminum, and inorganic oxides present in spent pot liner on germination and root tip cells of Lactuca sativa. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 73(4):626–631

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aragão FB, Bernardes PM, Ferreira A, da Silva Ferreira MF, Andrade-Vieira LF (2019) Cyto (geno) toxicity of commercial fungicides based on the active compounds tebuconazole, difenoconazole, procymidone, and iprodione in Lactuca sativa L. meristematic cells. Water Air Soil Poll 230(1):25

    Google Scholar 

  • Atik M, Karagüzel O, Ersoy S (2007) Sıcaklığın Dalbergia sissoo tohumlarının çimlenme özelliklerine etkisi. Mediterr Agric Sci 20(2):203–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp C, Fridovich I (1971) Superoxide dismutase: improved assays and an assay applicable to acrylamide gels. Anal Biochem 44:276–287

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beers RF, Sizer IW (1952) A spectrophotometric method for measuring the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by catalase. J Biol Chem 195:133–140

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernardes PM, Andrade-Vieira LF, Aragão FB, Ferreira A, da Silva Ferreira MF (2015) Toxicity of difenoconazole and tebuconazole in Allium cepa. Water Air Soil Poll 226(7):207

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi J, Fernandes TCC, Marin-Morales MA (2016) Induction of mitotic and chromosomal abnormalities on Allium cepa cells by pesticides imidacloprid and sulfentrazone and the mixture of them. Chemosphere 144:475–483

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-Sobrino L, Briz-Cid N, Figueiredo-González M, Sieiro-Sampedro T, González-Barreiro C, Cancho-Grande B, Rial-Otero R, Simal-Gándara J (2019) Impact of fungicides mepanipyrim and tetraconazole on phenolic profile and colour of Mencía red wines. Food Control 98:412–423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Souza CP, de Andrade GT, Fontanetti CS (2016) Evaluation of herbicides action on plant bioindicators by genetic biomarkers: a review. Environ Monit Assess 188(12):694

    Google Scholar 

  • Demirtas G, Çavusoglu K, Yalçin E (2015) Anatomic, physiologic and cytogenetic changes in Allium cepa L. induced by diniconazole. Cytologia 80(1):51–57

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dubey P, Mishra AK, Singh AK (2015) Comparative analyses of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and antioxidative defence system under exposure of methyl parathion and hexaconazole in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Environ Sci Pollut Res 22(24):19848–19859

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Ghamery AA, El-Kholy MA, El-Yousser A (2003) Evaluation of cytological effects of Zn2+ in relation to germination and root growth of Nigella sativa L. and Triticum aestivum L. Mutat Res 537:29–41

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPA (2005) Pesticide fact sheet: tetraconazole. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-120603_01-Apr-05.pdf . Accessed 29 May 2020

  • Fenech M, ChangWP K-VM, Holland N, Bonassi S, Zeiger E (2003) HUMN project: detailed description of the scoring criteria for the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay using isolated human lymphocyte cultures. Mutat Res 534:65–75

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feretti D, Zerbini I, Zani C, Ceretti E, Moretti M, Monarca S (2007) Allium cepa chromosome aberration and micronucleus tests applied to study genotoxicity of extracts from pesticide-treated vegetables and grapes. Food Addit Contam 24(6):561–572

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisun K, Rasgele PG (2009) Genotoxic effects of Raxil on root tips and anthers of Allium cepa L. Cytologia 62(1):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Foyer CH, Lopez Delgado H, Dat JF, Scott IM (1997) Hydrogen peroxide- and glutathione-associated mechanisms of acclamatory stress tolerance and signaling. Physiol Plant 100:241–254

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grover LS, Kaur S (1999) Genotoxicity of wastewater samples from sewage and industrial effluent detected by the Allium root anaphase aberration and micronucleus assays. Mutat Res 426:183–188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK (2018) Toxicity of fungicides. In: Gupta RC (ed) Veterinary toxicology, 3rd edn. Academic Press, pp 569–580

  • Harashima H, Schnittger A (2010) The integration of cell division, growth and differentiation. Curr Opin Plant Biol 13:66–74

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holečková B, Šiviková K, Dianovský J, Galdíková M (2013) Effect of triazole pesticide formulation on bovine culture cells. J Environ Sci Heal B 48(12):1080–1088

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalcheva VP, Dragoeva AP, Kalchev KN, Enchev DD (2009) Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Br-containing oxaphosphole on Allium cepa L. root tip cells and mouse bone marrow cells. Genet Mol Biol 32(2):389–393

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalefetoğlu Macar T, Macar O, Yalçın E, Çavuşoğlu K (2020) Resveratrol ameliorates the physiological, biochemical, cytogenetic, and anatomical toxicities induced by copper (II) chloride exposure in Allium cepa L. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(1):657–667

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosel K, Collins H (2020) Foliar fungicides reduce short term non-target soil microbial activity and community structure. FASEB J 34(S1):1–1

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovalchuk O, Kovalchuk I, Arkhıpov A, Telyuk P, Hohn B, Kovalchuk L (1998) The Allium cepa chromosome aberration test reliably measures genotoxicity of soils of inhabited areas in the Ukraine contaminated by the Chernobyl accident. Mutat Res 415:47–57

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Dong F, Liu X, Xu J, Li J, Kong Z, Chen X, Liang X, Zheng Y (2012) Simultaneous enantioselective determination of triazole fungicides in soil and water by chiral liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 1224:51–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Nie J, Chang W, Xu G, Farooq S, Liu M, Zhang J (2020) Enantioselective behavior analysis of chiral fungicide tetraconazole in apples with UPLC-MS/MS. Food Control 116:107305

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Macar O, Macar TK, Çavuşoğlu K, Yalçın E (2020) Protective effects of anthocyanin-rich bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract against copper (II) chloride toxicity. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(2):1428–1435

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mani MG, Panneerselvam R (2013) Study of antioxidant enzymes activity during rooting in Adhatoda Vasica under different triazole compounds. J Phytol 5:19–24

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra AK, Agrawal SB (2015) Biochemical and physiological characteristics of tropical mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars against chronic ozone stress: an insight to cultivar-specific response. Protoplasma 252:797–811

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noctor G, Foyar CH (1998) Ascorbate and glutathione: kee** active oxygen under control. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 49:249–270

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozakca DU, Silah H (2013) Genotoxicity effects of Flusilazole on the somatic cells of Allium cepa. Pestic Biochem Phys 107(1):38–43

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plana E, Moreno MJ, Montoya Á, Manclús JJ (2014) Development and application of recombinant antibody-based immunoassays to tetraconazole residue analysis in fruit juices. Food Chem 143:205–213

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pulate PV, Tarar JL (2014) Cytogenetic effects of tilt on root tip meristem of onion Allium cepa L. IJPAES 4(2):53–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarzbacherová V, Šiviková K, Drážovská M, Dianovský J (2015) Evaluation of DNA damage and cytotoxicity induced by triazole fungicide in cultured bovine lymphocytes. Caryologia 68(3):233–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh D, Roy BK (2017) Evaluation of malathion-induced cytogenetical effects and oxidative stress in plants using Allium test. Acta Physiol Plant 39(4):92

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh P, Srivastava AK, Singh AK (2007) Comparative sensitivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to insecticide and fungicide on different stages of cell cycle. Pestic Biochem Physiol 89:216–219

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sivakumar T, Lakshmanan GMA, Murali PV, Panneerselvam R (2010) Alteration of antioxidative metabolism induced by triazoles in sweet potato. J Exp Sci 1(3):10–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Smaka-Kincl V, Stegnar P, Lovka M, Toman MJ (1996) The evaluation of waste, surface and ground water quality using the Allium test procedure. Mut Res-Gen Tox 368(3–4):171–179

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava AK, Singh D (2020) Assessment of malathion toxicity on cytophysiological activity, DNA damage and antioxidant enzymes in root of Allium cepa model. Sci Rep 10(1):1–10

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staykova TA, Ivanova EN, Velcheva IG (2005) Cytogenetic effect of heavy metal and cyanide in contamined waters from the region of southwest Bulgaria. J Cell Mol Biol 4:41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutan NA, Popescu A, Mihaescu C, Soare LC, Marinescu MV (2014) Evaluation of cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of the fungicide Ridomil in Allium cepa L. Analele Stiint Univ Al I Cuza Iasi 60(1):5–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Türkoğlu Ş (2012) Determination of genotoxic effects of chlorfenvinphos and fenbuconazole in Allium cepa root cells by mitotic activity, chromosome aberration, DNA content, and comet assay. Pestic Biochem Phys 103(3):224–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Tütüncü E, Yalçın E, Acar A, Yapar K, Çavusoglu K (2019) Investigation of the toxic effects of carbamate insecticide methiocarb in Allium cepa L. Cytologia 84:1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Unyayar S, Celik A, Cekic FO, Gozel A (2006) Cadmium-induced genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in Allium sativum and Vicia faba. Mutagenesis 21:77–81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yildiz M, Arikan ES (2008) Genotoxicity testing of quizalofop-P-ethyl herbicide using the Allium cepa anaphase-telophase chromosome aberration assay. Caryologia 61(1):45–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou WJ, Ye QF (1996) Physiological and yield effects of uniconazole on winter rape (Brassica napus L.). J Plant Growth Regul 15:69–73

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou WF, Shen HC, ** HF, Ye QF (1993) Studies on the regulation mechanism of paclobutrazol to the growth of rape plant. Acta Agric Univ Zhejiang 19:316–320

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Şebinkarahisar School of Applied Sciences, Department of Food Technology, Giresun University, 28400, Giresun, Turkey

    Oksal Macar

Authors
  1. Oksal Macar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Dr. Oksal Macar carried out the experimental stages. Dr. Oksal Macar prepared the main manuscript including all figures and tables. Dr. Oksal Macar carried out statistical analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Oksal Macar.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent to publish

All authors whose names appear on the submission approved the version to be published and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Gangrong Shi

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Macar, O. Multiple toxic effects of tetraconazole in Allium cepa L. meristematic cells. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 10092–10099 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11584-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11584-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation