Influence of a Static Magnetic Field on Mitosis in Meristematic Cells of Allium Cepa

Abstract

The influence of static magnetic fields on mitosis and their cytogenetic effects were investigated in root meristems of Allium cepa. Five experiments were performed. Roots were excised from a bulb growing in a nutritive solution; some were exposed to a magnetic field and others were used as controls. In four experiments, mitotic and phase indices and frequencies of anaphase bridges, chromosome losts and apolar mitoses were compared between both groups. In another experiment, effects on cell birth rate were evaluated. The magnetic field did not change the mitotic index, but increases of the prophase and/or metaphase indices joined to decreases of the anaphase and telophase indices were found. Cell birth rate was also increased. Slight cytogenetic effects were observed. The results suggest that magnetic fields shorten the duration of the anaphase-telophase in Allium.