Demonstration of the effects of raxil (tebucona-zole) on the cell wall (glycocalyx) of the root tip cells in onion (Allium cepa L.) using Alcian blue

In this study, the effect of Raxil FS 060 (60 g/L tebu-conazole) on the cell wall of root tip cells of Allium cepa was investigated using the Alcian blue-specific interaction with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The bulbs with roots of A. cepa were treated with different concentrations of Raxil for two days. Germinated root tips of onions were stained with 1% Alcian blue 8 GX, and counter-stained with 2% aceto orcein solution for 5 min (acetic orcein squash method). In the root tips treated with different concentrations of Raxil (0.8%, 6.6% and 26.4% doses), it could be shown that the cell walls were thickened by increasing doses. Constrictions of protoplasm and dissolutions of nuclei in root tip cells were clearly observed. According to these results, it was concluded that the triazole fungicide, tebucanozole, might be toxic on the root tip cells of Allium cepa.