GENOTOXICITY AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES INDUCED BY THE CAPTAN FUNGICIDE IN THE ROOT OF BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum L. cv. Kandil)

In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of the captan fungicide by using morphological, physiological and cytological parameters in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum L. cv. Kandil) root tissue. The seeds of bell pepper were germinated in Petri dishes including different concentrations (0, 25 mu M, 50 mu M, 100 mu M, 150 mu M) of captan fungicide for 7 days. The germination rates and root lengths were significantly reduced in captan-treated seeds. All concentrations caused a significant decrease in mitotic index and increase in different types of chromosomal abnormalities such as c-mitosis and chromosome stickness in meristematic cells of bell pepper root. Captan treatment also induced oxidative stress by leading to membrane damage with an increase in root electrolyte leakage in 7 days-old bell pepper root. Catalase, glutathione reductase and total peroxidase activities increased under different concentrations as a response to oxidative stress. Our results showed that captan fungicide had negative effects on germination and growth in bell pepper seed.