GENOTOXICITY OF CADMIUM ON ROOT MERISTEM OF Vicia faba L.

The chromosomal aberration of V. faba due to CdCl2 may be due to its potential to enter into nucleus where it bind to the sulphydryl group of β-tubulin of spindle fibres that alter the ability of tubulin to form microtubules. In an environmental perspective, the bioavailability of Cd++ is an increasing concern for the range of living organisms including cultivated plants. Therefore combining plant bioassays and root analysis of Cd++ content would allow us to define phytotoxicity thresholds in plants.