CYTOGENETIC EFFECTS OF ALDRIN ON SOME SPECIES OF LENS AND PISUM

Cytogenetic effects of Aldrin (1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachloro-1,4,4a,5,8,8a hexahydro1,4,5,8 endo exo di methano naphthalene) were studied in Lens culinaris, L. esculenta, Pisum satiuum and P. arvense through root-tip, seed-soak and spray treatments. Somatic chromosomal abnormalities include inactivation of spindle mechanism, condensation of chromosomes and chromatin bridge. In meiosis sticky chromosomes, multivalents (quadrioctavalents), fragments, chromatin bridge at anaphase-I were noted. In M2 generation mitosis and meiosis were almost normal. In M1 generation spray treatment caused enhancement in plant height, while seed-soak treatment lowered the plant height. Both spray and seed-soak treatment decreased the number of pods and yield per plant. However, the effect could not persist upto M2 generation. The probable genetic hazards of aldrin have been discussed.