Allelopathic Effects of Adonis vernalis L.: Root Growth Inhibition and Cytogenetic Alterations

A possible alternative to synthetic agricultural chemicals is through the use of allelopathy. Adonis species are rich sources of secondary metabolites. Such allelochemicals offer potential for the de-velopment of future pesticides. Allelochemicals influence plant growth and cause morphological alterations. This visible effect could be due to primary effects at cellular or molecular level. Ch-anges in the mitotic activity and disturbances in different phases of mitotic division are accepted as indicators of cytotoxic influence. Mitotic abnormalities and induction of micronuclei in inter-phase cells are parameters used to determine genotoxicity. The purpose of the current study was to establish the possible allelopathic effect of Adonis vernalis L. water extracts through evaluation of root growth inhibition effect and cytogenetic alterations. Adonis vernalis L. growing wild in Bulgaria was used in the present study. Two types of water extracts were prepared: Hot and Cold Water Extract of A. vernalis (HWЕА and СWЕА). A 72-h root growth inhibition test was provided in order to determine the toxicity level of extracts. EC50 values were determined. For toxicity test, seeds of Triticum aestivum L. cv. GTW were used. Cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of water ex-tracts (EC50) were evaluated using Allium cepa L.-test. The EC50 for HWEA and CWEA was deter