Assessment of the genotoxicity of olive mill waste water (OMWW) with the Vicia faba micronucleus test

The present study concerns the genotoxicity of olive mill waste water (OMWW) generated in mills producing olive oil in Morocco. The Vicia faba micronucleus test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of OMWW and the six major phenolic compounds identified by HPLC in this effluent. Five dilutions of OMWW were tested: 0.1, 1, 5, 10 and 20%. Maleic hydrazide was used as a positive control. The results showed that OMWW was genotoxic at 10% dilution. In order to investigate the components involved in this genotoxicity, the six major phenols present in this effluent, oleuropein, gallic acid, 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, caffeic acid, paracoumaric acid and veratric acid, were studied at concentrations corresponding to the genotoxic concentration of the OMWW itself. Two phenols, gallic acid and oleuropein induced a significant increase in micronucleus frequency in Vicia faba; the four other phenols had no significant genotoxic effect. These results suggest that under the experimental conditions of our assay, OMWW genotoxicity was associated with gallic acid and oleuropein.     

青海一株蚕豆根瘤菌的鉴定及抗旱性评价

【目的】研究青海干旱地区蚕豆根瘤菌的遗传多样性,获得与蚕豆品种共生匹配且具有耐旱性的根瘤菌株,促进蚕豆耐旱根瘤菌在青海干旱地区生产中的应用。【方法】以分离自青海干旱地区一株菌株QHCD22为材料,利用细菌形态学、生理生化指标鉴定、Biolog细菌鉴定系统、16S rRNA基因序列分析、全基因组分析等进行菌种鉴定和系统发育分析,进一步通过PEG6000模拟干旱胁迫、盆栽回接干旱胁迫处理及旱作田间接种验证试验对该菌株的耐旱性进行综合评价。【结果】QHCD22菌株属快生型根瘤菌属(Rhizobium),Rhizobium indicum种。随着PEG6000模拟干旱胁迫程度的加剧,在−0.6 mPa这一更低渗透势时菌株存活数量增高,浊度由61.48%上升到69.42%,表现出较强的耐旱性。盆栽试验表明,接种根瘤菌处理(NA)的株高、植株鲜干比、根瘤数、根瘤鲜重、叶绿素含量(SPAD)、叶片相对含水量(RWC)、脯氨酸含量(PRO)、超氧化物歧化酶活性(SOD)、根系活力(TCC)均高于不接种根瘤菌处理(NN),并且在正常供水条件下,NA处理的各指标也均高于NN处理。旱作田间验证试验表明接种该菌株显著提高固氮酶活性,青海13号蚕豆根瘤固氮酶活性由不接种的42.07 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h)显著增加到221.78 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h),青蚕14号蚕豆由40.60 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h)显著增加到109.78 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h),马牙蚕豆由33.41 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h)显著增加到643.15 C₂H₄ nmol/(g·h)。接种根瘤菌对于增加产量具有促进作用,其中青蚕14号的增产效果显著,增产幅度达32.3%。【结论】QHCD22菌株可能为快生型根瘤菌属的一个种Rhizobium indicum,具有一定的耐旱性,研究表明接种根瘤菌可以提高蚕豆的耐旱性,尤其对干旱敏感型蚕豆品种增产效果显著,具有潜在的应用前景。     

NO体外供体硝普钠诱导蚕豆气孔保卫细胞死亡机理研究

为分析NO在植物细胞死亡过程中的作用,以蚕豆表皮条和NO体外供体硝普钠(SNP)及NO信号途径抑制剂为材料,采用表皮条生物法,探讨SNP对蚕豆叶面保卫细胞的毒性机理.结果表明:(1)0.5～9 mmol· L-1的SNP可使蚕豆气孔保卫细胞活性降低,部分细胞死亡,且随着SNP浓度的增高细胞死亡率增高.(2)凋亡抑制剂Z-Asp-CH2-DCB或TLCK可显著降低SNP诱发的保卫细胞死亡率.(3)抗坏血酸(AsA)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、Ca2+螯合剂EGTA或Ca2+通道抑制剂LaCl3与SNP共同作用时,细胞死亡率显著降低.(4)NO清除剂c-PTIO、MAPK激酶抑制剂PD98059和鸟苷酸环化酶抑制荆ODQ亦能有效阻止SNP诱发的细胞死亡.研究发现,较高浓度的SNP可诱导蚕豆保卫细胞程序性死亡,SNP诱发植物细胞死亡与胁迫组保卫细胞内NO、ROS和Ca2+水平升高有关,cGMP和MAPK参与了SNP诱发的细胞死亡.     

入侵植物香丝草水浸提液对蚕豆和玉米根尖染色体行为的影响

以采自农田中自然生长的植物群落中的香丝草为供体,以典型的双子叶植物蚕豆和典型的单子叶植物玉米的幼苗为受体,运用根尖微核试验和染色体畸变试验,研究了香丝草的根、茎、叶和幼果4种器官水浸提液对受体的遗传毒性。结果表明:(1)在香丝草不同器官水浸提液作用下,蚕豆和玉米根尖细胞的有丝分裂各时期均受到明显影响,细胞中出现了微核、染色体桥、染色体断片、染色体环、染色体粘连及染色体滞后等多种染色体畸变。(2)香丝草各器官水浸提液对蚕豆幼苗根尖细胞分裂的抑制作用明显大于玉米。(3)香丝草各器官水浸提液对蚕豆和玉米幼苗根尖的染色体畸变诱导存在显著的浓度效应,即水浸提液浓度越高,受体的微核率和畸变率越高,相应的有丝分裂指数越低,水浸提液的诱导作用与浓度呈正相关关系,但不是简单的加和作用。(4)香丝草各器官水浸提液均具有较强的遗传毒性,但整体化感效应表现为叶＞幼果＞茎＞根,即叶片产生的化感作用最强。因此,香丝草分泌的化感物质可能通过对受体植物生长点的细胞有丝分裂和细胞形态产生影响,造成受体植物染色体的多种畸变和不可逆的遗传损伤,从而成功入侵新的栖息地。     

纳米管和镉对蚕豆幼苗根系的毒害效应

以蚕豆幼苗为实验材料,采用水培法研究不同浓度(0、2、4、8、16 mg·L~(-1))羟基化多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs-OH)与10μmol·L~(-1)镉(Cd)单一和联合作用对蚕豆幼苗根系生长、生理及Cd含量的影响。结果表明:(1)单一MWCNTs-OH处理下,随着MWCNTs-OH浓度(2～8 mg·L~(-1))的增加,蚕豆的根长度增加,且■产生速率增加的同时会伴随着SOD、POD活性升高。(2)单一Cd处理的幼苗根系MDA含量和■产生速率均高于对照,其中■产生速率较对照增加了1.98倍。(3)MWCNTs-OH联合处理诱导了蚕豆根■的产生和MDA含量增加,16 mg·L~(-1) MWCNTs-OH和Cd共同作用对蚕豆幼苗根的损伤最大,会促使部分根尖细胞受损脱落,Cd含量明显下降。研究发现,低浓度MWCNTs-OH可促进蚕豆的根生长,降低Cd的毒性;高浓度MWCNTs-OH(16 mg·L~(-1))和Cd对蚕豆幼苗根的致毒性表现为协同效应。     

利用蚕豆根尖细胞微核技术检测Cu、As污染的诱变性

应用蚕豆根尖细胞微核技术检测Cu、As及其复合污染的诱变性能,计数了蚕豆根尖细胞微核千分率(MCN‰)和污染指数(PI)并进行了F检验.结果表明,在一定浓度范围内(Cu＜200mg·L,As＜15mg·L^-1),随着Cu、As浓度的增加,MCN‰上升;24个试验处理组PI均在2以上,各处理组MCN‰有显著差异,和对照组有极显著差异(a＜0,01),表明Cu、As及其复合处理对蚕豆根尖细胞的分裂活动有明显影响.     

铅持续胁迫下不同世代蚕豆生理生化指标的变化

为了解长期持续铅胁迫下植物不同世代间生理生化指标的变化,分析植物对铅污染的适应机制及植物对长期持续污染的响应机理,该研究以在250 mg·kg~(-1)Pb持续污染的实验田中种植所得的第4、第8、第10、第13和第15世代蚕豆种子为材料,通过盆栽法,与同世代未受Pb胁迫的蚕豆做对照,分析了与抗氧化酶系统、总代谢等相关的8个生理指标,即叶绿素、蛋白质、可溶性糖、脯氨酸(PRO)、丙二醛(MDA)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)活力。结果表明:(1)在长期持续Pb胁迫下,与蚕豆光合作用能力有关的叶绿素含量在第8代与第13代之间与对照组相比具有显著的差异性(P0.05)。(2)可溶性糖含量随胁迫时间的延长而逐渐升高,并在第10代时达到最高,随后开始向无污染的正常水平恢复并趋于稳定;蛋白质含量在胁迫至第13代后开始增加。(3)MDA与PRO含量在胁迫至第10代时达到最高,并随胁迫时间的延长而降低,至第13代后逐渐趋于稳定。(4)抗氧化酶系统中的SOD、GR和MDH也同样呈现出先高后低的趋势,且GR的变化程度最大,MDH活力最早表现出与对照组的最大差异。研究认为:在长期的持续Pb污染胁迫下,蚕豆种群对Pb污染胁迫的适应性不断提高。     

蚕豆根瘤菌接种效应研究

为发掘和利用青海冷凉地区蚕豆优良的根瘤菌种质资源,确定根瘤菌的接种效应。将分离、纯化、分子鉴定的16株蚕豆根瘤菌通过盆栽回接试验的方法进行筛选。结果表明,筛选出6株根瘤菌,它们与青海13号蚕豆共生匹配效果较好,共生固氮能力强,促进蚕豆生长效果明显。     

Vicia root-mirconucleus and sister chromatid exchange assays on the genotoxicity of selenium compounds

Selenium (Se) is an important metalloid with industrial, environmental, biological and toxicological significance. Excessive selenium in soil and water may contribute to environmental selenium pollution, and affect plant growth and human health. By using Vicia faba micronucleus (MN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests, possible genotoxicity of sodium selenite and sodium biselenite was evaluated in this study. The results showed that sodium selenite, at concentrations from 0.01 to 10.0 mg/L, induced a 1.9–3.9-fold increase in MN frequency and a 1.5–1.6-fold increase in SCE frequency, with a statistically significantly difference from the control (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Sodium selenite also caused mitotic delay and a 15–80% decrease in mitotic indices (MI), but at the lowest concentration (0.005 mg/L), it slightly stimulated mitotic activity. Similarly, the frequencies of MN and SCE also increased significantly in sodium biselenite treated samples, with MI decline only at relatively higher effective concentrations. Results of the present study suggest that selenite is genotoxic to V. faba root cells and may be a genotoxic risk to human health.     

种植茼蒿对蚕豆苜蓿蚜的田间控制作用

[目的] 探讨不同生育期和不同种植方式的茼蒿对蚕豆蚜虫的诱集作用,为利用茼蒿控制蚕豆蚜虫提供理论依据。[方法] 在蚕豆田四周种植不同生育期（幼苗期、现蕾期、开花期）和不同行数（1行、2行）的茼蒿,观察不同处理的蚕豆田有蚜株率和蚜害等级,各处理设在互不干扰的小区内进行。[结果] 蚕豆四周种植不同生育期茼蒿后,蚕豆上有蚜株率和蚜害等级比例存在显著差异,且与茼蒿的生育期有明显的相关性,各处理有蚜株率从低到高分别为茼蒿开花期（28.33%） < 现蕾期（41.67%） < 幼苗期（55.00%）,并均显著低于对照（63.33%）;种植不同生育期茼蒿后,各处理蚕豆蚜害等级也不同,5级蚜害在种植开花期茼蒿处理后仅为5.00%,现蕾期为23.33%,幼苗期为33.33%,对照蚕豆上蚜害最高,达40.00%。分别种植1行（33.33%）和2行（23.33%）茼蒿后,最高有蚜株率均显著低于对照（66.67%）,低蚜害等级比例明显增高,高蚜害比例明显下降,且种植2行的效果更佳。[结论] 开花期的茼蒿对蚕豆蚜虫诱集作用最强,种植2行开花期茼蒿可以有效降低蚕豆蚜虫为害。在蚕豆生产上,种植茼蒿可以作为蚕豆蚜虫生态防控的重要手段之一。     

K outward rectifying channels as targets of phosphatase inhibitor deltamethrin inVicia faba guard cells

The dominant outward rectifier K⁺ currents were examined in protoplasts from Vicia faba guard cells. In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we generally observed that the conductance of the K⁺ inward and the outward rectifier gradually decreases with a half time in the order of 2.3 ± 0.7 min. As a consequence of this rundown, a new steady state was achieved which was 90 ± 5 percnt; lower than that obtained at the beginning of the recording. The rundown of the outward rectifier could be greatly reduced by pre-treating protoplasts either with the membrane permeable drug deltamethrin or by perfusing protoplasts with a pipette solution containing 5 μmol/L cyclosporine A. Furthermore, after the rundown, the conductance of the outward rectifier could be partially restored upon addition of 5 μmol/L deltamethrin to the bath medium. Since deltamethrin and cyclosporine A are established inhibitors of the calcium sensitive phosphatase calcineurin, the data argue for a participation of this type of phosphatase in the control of the activity of K⁺ outward rectifier channels in guard cells.     

A novel seed protein gene from Vicia faba is developmentally regulated in transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis plants

Summary We have isolated a novel gene, denoted USP, from Vicia faba var. minor, which corresponds to the most abundant mRNA present in cotyledons during early seed development; however, the corresponding protein does not accumulate in cotyledons. The characterized USP gene with its two introns is 1 of about 15 members of a gene family. A fragment comprising 637 bp of 5 flanking sequence and the total 5 untranslated region was shown to be sufficient to drive the mainly seed-specific expression of two reporter genes, coding for neomycin phosphotransferase 11 and -glucuronidase, in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum plants. We showed that the USP promoter becomes active in transgenic tobacco seeds in both the embryo and the endosperm, whereas its activity in Arabidopsis is detectable only in the embryo. Moreover, we demonstrated a transient activity pattern of the USP promoter in root tips of both transgenic host species.     

窄叶野碗豆种子的休眠与发芽特性

以青藏高原野豌豆属窄叶野碗豆(Vicia angustifolia)种子为材料,就其休眠类型、发芽对温度与水分的响应以及休眠破除方法进行了研究。结果显示:(1)窄叶野碗豆新鲜种子具有复合休眠特性,而贮藏种子仅具有物理休眠特性。(2)与贮藏种子相比,新鲜种子的发芽温度范围变窄,高温显著抑制其种子的发芽,在25℃条件下新鲜种子的发芽率仅为4%,而贮藏种子可达90%以上。(3)新鲜种子发芽对水分的要求较高,在-0.4 MPa以及10℃、15℃、20℃条件下,新鲜种子的发芽率分别为85%、55%、8%,而贮藏种子的发芽率分别为95%、91%、89%。(4)氟啶酮(FL)和赤霉素(GA3)对贮藏种子的发芽与发芽速率均无明显作用,但可显著提高新鲜种子的发芽速率;与贮藏种子相比,新鲜种子的发芽对脱落酸(ABA)的抑制作用更为敏感;除高浓度多效唑(PA)显著抑制新鲜种子的发芽外,其他浓度的PA对新鲜种子与贮藏种子均无显著影响。研究表明,脱落酸可能是引致窄叶野豌豆种子生理休眠的主要原因;硫酸及切破种皮处理均可破除贮藏种的物理休眠,其中硫酸处理20min效果最好。     

大叶桉挥发物对蚕豆细胞毒性效应及信号调节

为探讨大叶桉(Eucalyptus robusta)化感作用的细胞学机制，该研究以大叶桉挥发油及其主要成分α-蒎烯和桉油精为供体，以蚕豆(Vicia faba)的根细胞和叶保卫细胞为靶标，运用显微技术、细胞化学技术和qRT-PCR技术，研究了大叶桉挥发物的毒性效应。结果表明：(1)在大叶桉挥发物作用下，蚕豆幼根生长受抑制并表现为时间-浓度依赖效应，其化感效应强弱由大到小依次为挥发油、α-蒎烯和桉油精。(2)蚕豆根边缘细胞活性降低，分生区细胞微核率升高，有丝分裂指数下降且大部分细胞的细胞周期被阻滞在分裂前期。(3)蚕豆叶保卫细胞内NADPH氧化酶活性升高，活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)爆发，微丝聚合，气孔开度下降；叶保卫细胞的核畸变率升高，细胞活性降低甚至发生caspase依赖性细胞凋亡，而Ca²⁺通道阻断剂(LaCl₃)、活性氧清除剂(AsA)和硝酸还原酶抑制剂(NaN₃)均可显著提高保卫细胞存活率，说明大叶桉挥发物改变了信号分子Ca²⁺、ROS和NO的信号调节。...     

信号分子活性氧和NO在土荆芥化感胁迫诱导蚕豆根边缘细胞死亡中的调控

为了探讨入侵植物土荆芥(Chenopodium ambrosioides L.)化感作用如何干扰受体植物的防御功能,以蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)为受体,研究了土荆芥挥发油及其主要成分ρ-对伞花素和α-萜品烯对根边缘细胞活性及其胞外诱捕网厚度的影响,并测定了细胞内信号分子活性氧(Reactive oxygen species, ROS)和NO水平的变化。结果表明:在土荆芥挥发油、ρ-对伞花素和α-萜品烯作用下,蚕豆根边缘细胞粘胶层厚度增加,细胞活性下降,而ROS和NO水平升高,且表现为浓度依赖效应,细胞死亡率、ROS水平和NO水平三者之间存在着显著的正相关(P<0.05)。ROS清除剂抗坏血酸(AsA)、硝酸还原酶抑制剂(NaN₃)和泛Caspase抑制剂Z-VAD-FMK均可有效缓解挥发性物质的细胞致死效应,表明ROS和NO诱导根边缘细胞发生了Caspase依赖性细胞凋亡。上述结果表明土荆芥挥发性化感物质诱导蚕豆根边缘细胞内NO和ROS的水平上升,二者协同作用导致细胞凋亡,引起受体防御功能障碍,从而抑制了植物根系的生长。     

Genotoxicity of gliotoxin, a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus fumigatus, in a battery of short-term test systems

The genotoxic effects of gliotoxin, a known fungal secondary metabolite, were studied. Gliotoxin was purified from cultivation medium of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from the indoor air of a moisture problem house. The genotoxicity of gliotoxin was assessed both in bacterial test systems including bacterial repair assay, Ames Salmonella assay and SOS-chromotest, and in mammalian cells using single cell gel (SCG) electrophoresis assay and sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) test. Gliotoxin was found to be genotoxic in the bacterial repair assay but, not in the Salmonella test or SOS-chromotest. A dose-related increase in DNA damage was observed in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to gliotoxin for 2 h in plain medium in the SCG assay. In contrast to the positive response in the SCG assay, gliotoxin did not induce any clear, dose-related increase in SCEs in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.     

土荆芥挥发性化感物质对蚕豆叶表皮保卫细胞的影响

化感作用是外来植物土荆芥( Chenopodium ambrosioides)成功入侵的机制之一。为了探讨土荆芥挥发油的化感作用机制,该文以蚕豆( Vicia faba)叶的下表皮为材料,将表皮条孵育在分别含土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素的MES [2-( N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid]缓冲液中,25℃下光照培养30 min,采用吖啶橙/溴乙锭( AO/EB)双荧光染色法和Feulgen染色法,研究土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素对保卫细胞活性和细胞核形态的影响。结果表明：在土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素的作用下,蚕豆气孔保卫细胞活性降低,细胞核出现固缩、畸形或降解等细胞凋亡特征。随着处理剂量增加,保卫细胞活性显著下降,核异常率显著增加,表明土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素均对蚕豆保卫细胞具有细胞毒性,其中,挥发油毒性最大,α-萜品烯的毒性次之,对伞花素的毒性最小;Caspase抑制剂Z-VAD-FMK可缓解挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素对保卫细胞的毒性,提高细胞活性,这种缓解效应随着抑制剂浓度的增加而增大。由此可见,土荆芥挥发油、α-萜品烯和对伞花素诱导蚕豆保卫细胞发生了Caspase依赖性的细胞凋亡。     

大蒜浸出液对平菇细菌性褐斑病病原菌托拉斯假单胞杆菌的抑菌作用

【背景】由托拉斯假单胞杆菌(Pseudomonas tolaasii)引起的平菇细菌性褐斑病在国内外大面积发生,导致产量降低,并有潜在的安全风险,寻找安全有效的抑菌剂对产业发展具有重要意义。【目的】通过5种不同溶剂提取得到大蒜浸出液,测定其对平菇细菌性褐斑病病原菌托拉斯假单胞杆菌的抑制作用,同时检测其对平菇菌丝生长的作用。【方法】利用抑菌圈法测定5种不同的大蒜浸出液对托拉斯假单胞杆菌的抑菌作用,利用平板扩散法筛选能促进平菇菌丝生长的药剂及适宜的浓度。【结果】5种大蒜浸出液原液对托拉斯假单胞杆菌均有显著的抑菌活性,其中大蒜山杏壳木醋液浸出原液抑菌效果最强。不同浓度的大蒜浸出液抑菌作用比较发现,浓度为10%的大蒜山杏壳木醋液浸出液具有较好的抑菌效果,其抑菌效果与0.33 mg/mL的链霉素相当,并对平菇菌丝生长有显著的促进作用,菌丝生长速度显著大于对照,并且菌丝浓密,边缘整齐。【结论】本研究为大蒜与山杏壳木醋液复配药剂防治平菇细菌性褐斑病奠定了实验基础。     

增强UV-B辐射对高山植物歪头菜生长及内源激素变化的影响

以青藏高原野生豆科牧草歪头菜(Vicia unijuga A.Br.)为材料,模拟甘南夏季晴朗无云天空平流层臭氧衰减9%的UV-B辐射强度(6.4 kJ/m²),分析增强UV-B辐射条件下植株内源激素水平和全氮含量随时间变化及其与生长特性的关系。结果显示:(1)来自高寒地区野生歪头菜在增强UV-B辐射的最初阶段(10 d左右)会产生对紫外胁迫的应激性响应,其内源生长激素吲哚乙酸(IAA)、玉米素(ZT)、赤霉素类(GAs)和6-苄氨基嘌呤(6-BA)含量水平以及全氮含量均明显高于对照,生长指标也相应升高。(2)随着处理时间延长,歪头菜内源生长激素含量开始迅速降低,并于处理后30 d时降至最低,处理后40 d时全氮含量也显著低于对照;同时,随着生长激素和全氮含量降低,植株生长也受到强烈抑制。(3)在处理后40 d时歪头菜内源ABA才被检测到,说明细胞膜伤害发生的时间相对较晚。研究表明,来自高寒环境的植物种歪头菜经历长期自然选择和适应,形成了对强UV-B辐射的应激响应机制,使辐射伤害延迟,内源激素含量变化与该应激响应有密切关系。     

Genotoxicity of 2,4-D and dicamba revealed by transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants harboring recombination and point mutation markers

The phenoxy herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba are released daily into the environment in large amount. The mechanisms of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of these herbicides are poorly understood, and the available genotoxicity data is controversial. There is a cogent need for a novel genotoxicity monitoring system that could provide both reliable information at the molecular level, and complement existing systems.We employed the transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana ‘point mutation’ and ‘recombination’ plants to monitor the genetic effects of the herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba. We found that both herbicides had a significant effect on the frequency of homologous recombination A→G mutation. Neither herbicides affected the T→G mutation frequency. Interestingly, these transgenic biomonitoring plants were able to detect the presence of phenoxy herbicides at concentrations that were lower than the guideline levels for Drinking Water Quality. The results of our studies suggest that our transgenic system may be ideal for the evaluation of the genotoxicity of herbicide-contaminated water. Moreover, the unique ability of the plants to detect both double-strand breaks (homologous recombination) and point mutations provides tremendous potential in the study of molecular mechanisms of genotoxicity and mutagenicity of phenoxy herbicides.