The effects of fungicide benomyl (benlate) on growth and mitosis in onion (Allium cepa L.) root apical meristem

In this study, the effects of benomyl, a systemic fungicide were investigated in the mitotic cell division in onion (Allium cepa) root tip cells during germination. For this aim, different concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mM) of benomyl solutions were used. All the concentrations used caused several abnormalities in mitotic cell divisions and the mitotic frequency in the onion root tip cells decreased as the concentration of benomyl solution increased. Based on our findings, it is reported that benomyl has some negative effects on mitotic divisions in onion root tip cells.