Summary
The herbicide paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4-bipyridylium ion) has been found to exert a growth inhibitory effect on the N2-fixing blue-green algaNostoc muscorum in nitrogen-free (N2) and NO −3 media, without any apparent inhibitory or stimulatory effect on the heterocyst-forming capacity of the organism. With a dose of paraquat permitting about 20 and 50% survival of this alga a reverse mutation (fromhet + nif − auxotrophy tohet + nif + prototrophy), a forward mutation (for L-methionine-DL-sulfoximine [MSO]-resistance), and an auxotrophic mutation (for carbon-auxotrophy through methylamine [MA]-resistance) have been obtained. The toxic and mutagenic effects of this agrochemical have been compared with those of the well known mutagen MNNG (N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) and found to be stronger than those of the latter in each case.
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The author wishes to thank Mr Girish Nath, Lakshami Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Phatuha (Patna), India, for providing pure samples of the herbicide for the present investigation. The receipt of financial assistance for this work in the form of a Higher Research Associateship Award to the author from the University Grants Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi-110002 (Grant No. F/16-51/83), is thankfully acknowledged.
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Vaishampayan, A. Strong mutagenic action of a bipyridylium herbicide in a N2-fixing blue-green alga. Experientia 40, 1016–1019 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946487
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946487