Cytological Effects of Fungicide Topsin in Allium cepa

The present work confirms the antimitotic, cytotoxic and clastogenic effects of the fungicide Topsin in case of Allium cepa. It also induced C-metaphase, spin dle abnormalities and inhibited cytokinesis. Topsin is being used as a protectant and eradicant in controlling fungal diseaese of various crop plants. Therefore it is suggested that the mutagenic potential of Topsin on such crop plants should be tested before it is recommended for wide use in the agricultural field. The infor-mation on crop plants will be helpful not only from the view point of understanding the mechanism of cytological damage but also for its implication on environmental pollution.