Assessment of physiological and genotoxic responses of <i>Allium cepa</i> L. to dinotefuran exposure

Dinotefuran is a third-generation furanicotinyl neonicotinoid with broad-spectrum systemic insecticidal activity. Allium cepa L. is widely used in genetic and cytogenetic investigations. The Allium-comet assay is a valuable genotoxicological tool that enables early detection of single-cell-level DNA damage, providing critical insight into the genotoxic potential of a wide range of substances. This research was conducted to evaluate the genotoxic potential of dinotefuran on A. cepa plants. Allium bulbs were germinated, and then after seven days they were directly embedded in negative control (NC), positive control (PC, 10 mM H2O2) and dinotefuran (0, 0.5, and 10 mg L−1). The emerging roots were subjected to assess DNA damage using the comet assay, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was analyzed in order to determine the lipid peroxidation. In addition, total chlorophyll content was analyzed in leaf tissues. Total chlorophyll content significantly decreased in 10 mg L−1 of dinotefuran and PC treatments. MDA levels in A. cepa roots indicated possible oxidative damage to cellular membranes due to dinotefuran. DNA damage assessed via the Comet assay showed a clear concentration-dependent increase, highlighting genotoxic effects of dinotefuran exposure. Our findings reveal the concentration-dependent phytotoxicity and genotoxicity of dinotefuran, underscoring its potential risks to plant systems and the importance of regulating its application.