Genetic changes in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings induced by chromium pollution using RAPD analysis

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most important environmental problem. Heavy metals pose serious problems for the environment and human health because they are the pollutants that cannot be degraded to nontoxic forms. In this study, genotoxic effects of chromium on maize (Zea mays L.) seedling have been assessed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Chromium nitrate (CrN₃O₉) applied to Zea mays seeds at four concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40 mM). The changes occurring in RAPD profiles following Cr treatment included variation in band intensity, loss of normal bands and appearance of new bands compared with the normal seedlings. These results indicated that polymorphism and genomic template stability (GTS) value was significantly affected at the above Cr concentration. In conclusion, DNA polymorphisms detected by RAPD analysis could be used as an investigation tool for environmental toxicology and as a useful biomarker assay for the detection of genotoxic effects of heavy metal pollution on plants.