Effects of Al³⁺ on root growth, cell division, and nucleoli in root tip cells of Zea mays L.

Abstract

The effects of different concentrations (10⁵10¹ M) of aluminum chloride on root growth, cell division, and nucleoli in root tip cells of Zea mays L. were investigated. The results showed that Al inhibited root growth of Zea mays only at 10²10¹ M.Al³⁺ has a marked effect on c-mitosis. Al, at higher concentration, has toxic effects on root tip cells, causing aberration of chromosomal morphology and structure: c-mitosis, anaphase bridges, and chromosome stickiness. Al induces the appearance of some silver-stained particulate material scattered in the nuclei, and extrusion of the nucleolar material from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Once the nucleolus was affected, and silver-stained nucleolar material was extruded from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, root growth was almost or completely stopped. The possible mechanism of the Al poisoning of root tip cells of Zea mays is also briefly discussed.