Abstract: The effects of NaCl solution on cell division and growth of Hordeum vulgare seedlings were studied. Seedlings'chlorophyll content was lower than the control's when they incubated in NaCl solution. The seedlings grew slowly and their mitotic index (MI) decreased significantly when seedlings incubated at high concentration. The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and chromosomal aberration (CA) increased in root tip cells of Hordeum vulgare seedlings at the same time. The results of statistics showed that there was a linear function between NaCl concentration and MI (also MN and CA). Mitotic index showed negative responses to NaCl concentration. The concentration of NaCl solution showed positive responses both in micronucleus and chromosomal aberration. It suggested that MI, MN and CA of mitosis in Hordeum vulgare seedlings could be used to monitoring environmental sodium chloride.

Key words: Hordeum vulgare, NaCl, mitotic index, micronuclei, chromosomal aberration, linear relation