Cytogenetic effects of uranium on meristematic cells of the root tips of Vicia faba L. have been investigated. Seeds of the plant were kept in uranium standard for different time period (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 24 hours). The seeds treated with uranium were made sprout and the root tips obtained were prepared for microscopic examination. At the end of the microscopic examinations, some abnormalities such as chromosome breakings, untidily dispersion of the chromosomes, chromosome adherence were observed. Abnormalities were detected at each treatment depended on the time periods. Variety and number of abnormalities were usually seen to be increasing, depending on the increase of the treatment time. The obtained results were evaluated statistically.
Keywords: abnormalities, chromosome, uranium, Vicia faba.