Evaluation of Deltamethrine Pesticide Effect in the Plant Cell Growth Using Nigella sativa L. Callus Cultures

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the pesticide Deltamethrine on plant cell growth, by using Nigella sativa L. tissue cultures. Different concentrations of the pesticide were used ranged between 0.01-4.0%. Results showed that the lower conc. 0.01-0.05% did not inhibit callus growth, but they enhanced the growth to yield 8.44, 11.47 and 12.89 g of callus fresh weight compared with 6.12 g for MSt. the conc. of 0.1-1.0% also enhanced callus growth but to lower level. Whereas 2.0 and 4.0% of the pesticide were growth inhibitors. Protein determination showed the same trend as with the fresh weight.