Original article
English
M. EL-Barghathi, H. Asoyri
Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Garyounis University, Benghazi, Libya
Journal of Science and Its Applications Vol 1, No 1:6-13 ( February 2007 )
Abstract
The effect of phenol and naphthol was tested for seed germination of Allium cepa L. (onion) by measuring the germination percentages under different concentrations of both compounds. Seed germination of onion was significantly promoted by low concentrations up to 100 mg/L of both phenol and naphthol. Gibberellic acid ( GA3) was used to antagonize the inhibitory effect of the highest concentration (1000 mg/L) of the above mentioned compounds.
The inhibitory effect of both substances was examined at the cellular level by counting the chromosomal mutations in the mitotic division of the apical meristem of onion roots. Mutation percentages of metaphase and anaphase increased with the concentration of both phenol and naphthol compounds used in this study.
Keywords: Seed germination; Allium cepa; Germination inhibitors;Chromosomal abnormalities; Germination promoters.
Link/DOI: http://garyounis.edu/jsciapp/v1/6-13.pdf