Assessment of Molecular Markers to Detect the Dna Damage Caused by Parthenium Plant Extract

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity and DNA damage caused by Parthenium plant a invasive weed on selected crop plants. Three different concentrations of Parthenium plant extract i.e. 2.5 %, 5.0 % and 7.5 % were used as test material. Phytotoxic effects of Parthenium plant on seedling traits in four crop plants viz. V. faba, H. vulgare, C. arietinum and S. lycopersicum showed significant reduction in all seedling traits using three extract concentrations as compared to control. Parthenium plant extract concentration at 7.5 % has maximum negative effect on seedling traits. V. faba has least effect of Parthenium extracts treatments on seedling traits as compared to other crops whereas S. lycopersicum was highly affected by Parthenium extracts. Cytotoxic effects of Parthenium plant on mitotic index in roots of A. cepa showed reduction in mitotic activity using three extract concentrations both at 24 and 48 hours. Where relative abnormality rate (RAR) increased with increase in concentration as well as treatment duration. Several chromosomal aberrations were recorded i.e. early prophase, sticky metaphase, C- metaphase, disturbed metaphase and anaphase, forward metaphase anaphase and telophase chromosomes, laggards in anaphase and telophase, bridges at anaphase and telophase, micronucleus at inter-phase. SSR markers were assayed to assess the DNA damage caused by Parthenium plant extract in V. faba and H. vulgare with 15, 30 and 45 days treated samples revealed some newly induced bands and some normal bands disappeared which shows change in genomic DNA. In V. faba GTS value varies from 42.90 % (7.5 % of 15 days treated sample) to 75 % (5.0 % of 30 days treated sample). In H. vulgare GTS values varies from 16.67 % (5.0 % and 7.5 % of 30 and 45 days treated samples) to 83.33 % (2.5 % of 15 and 45 days treated). Marker analysis shows that Parthenium plant extract was capable of inducing DNA damage as lower estimated GTS values reflects high to medium genetic variability, although its suggested more studies on this aspect to save field crops from damage on DNA