Lead-Induced Cytotoxicity and Mutagenicity in Grass Pea

Chromosomal variation is an important tool in genetic analysis. The objectives of the present study were to determine the mutagenic potential of lead (Pb) on the meiotic cells of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) and to determine the maximum concentration of lead nitrate that induces maximum genetic variability in grass pea. The different concentrations of lead nitrate used were 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 ppm. The percentage of abnormalities increased with the lead nitrate concentration. Different types of chromosomal abnormalities were observed, such as condensed bivalents, secondary association, laggards, bridges, cytomixis, stickiness, etc.