Genetic toxicity of active ingredients extracted from roots,stems,and leaves of walnut on Vicia faba

Objective In order to provide scientific evidences for the development of pollution-free botanical herbicides,this study explored the allelopathic mechanism of different extracts from the roots,stems,and leaves of walnut(Juglans regia L.).Method The Vicia faba root growth test and micronucleus test were used to study the effects of the different ingredients derived from the roots,stems,and leaves of walnut on Vicia faba growth and their genetic toxicity.Result The research results showed that the Vicia faba root grew slowly after being cultured by the n-butanol extracts(0.025,0.050,0.100 g/mL) from walnut roots and leaves for 24 and 48 hrs,respectively.When the extracts concentration was greater than 0.050 g/mL,the Vicia faba root,which was cultured for 72 hrs,stopped growing.The micronuclear test indicated that the n-butanol extracts of roots and leaves could inhibit the growth of Vicia faba root tip cells and damage the genetic material,which resulted in the mitotic index of Vicia faba root tips to decrease and micronuclear rate to increase.The experimental group's research results had significant difference compared with the controlled group's research results(P0.05) and the concentration and time effects in the experimental concentration range(0.025-0.100 g/mL) was significant.Conclusion The walnut roots and leaves had allelochemicals genetic toxicity,which inhibited the division of plant cells and damaged the genetic materials of cells;this resulted in the irreversible genetic damage to the nearby plants.