Biotesting of the potential mutagenicity level of agricultural landscapes soils using plant test-object

To determine the degree of pollution in anthropogenically disturbed natural areas, regional background monitoring using highly sensitive plant test objects in the soil-plant system is necessary. Bioassays of potential mutagenicity levels of soil samples from six agricultural land plots in agricultural landscapes adjacent to a highway in the southeastern region of Armenia were conducted. To determine the genotoxic effects in the soil samples, bioassays with the model test object Tradescantia (clone 02) were used. According to the results of the somatic mutation detection assay (Trad-SH), the highest frequency of point recessive mutations was detected in agricultural land plots near the Ararat-Vedi highway, where mutation values were 13 and 20 times higher than the control level, respectively. The micronucleus test results also showed a 2.6-fold increase in the micronucleus frequency in these areas according to the MN/Tetr test criterion, and a 3-fold increase according to the Tetr/MN criterion, respectively. The lowest levels of genetic parameters for both assays were observed in landscape areas near the highway near the town of Masis. A significant positive correlation was observed between the genetic markers of both Tradescantia bioassays and the chemical components Cu, Zn, and Co (p<0.01).