SUMMARY. Chlorophenols are precursors to more dangerous toxicants dioxanes and are characterized wiht mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of chemical substances can be studied using methods of plant biological testing under the influence of different pollutants. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of pentachlorophenol and 3-chlorophenol solutions in root meristem cells of Allium fistulosum (L.) were investigated. Dose-dependent inhibition of onion seed germination under the influence of 5-chlorophenol and 3-chlorophenol solutions in different concentrations was revealed. Pentachlorophenol showed significantly greater dose-dependent toxic effect on seed germination than 3-chlorophenol.
Keywords: cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, biotesting, chlorophenols, mitotic index
