Abstract

INDUCED PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL MUTAGENESIS AND ITS EFFECT IN CYTOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH)

*V. Suthakar, L. Mullainathan and S.Natarajan

Abstract

The present investigation provides a comparative account of cytological and developmental effects on EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate) and Gamma rays on meiotic features. Chemical mutagens have become important tools in crop improvement. These mutagens are being used to produce resistance in various susceptible crops to improve their yield and quality traits against harmful pathogens. There are several mutagens available for crop improvement and each mutagens has its important role as positive or negative effect on crops. Studies undertaken in M3 generation. Variety of CSV-23 Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench showed that both the mutagens EMS and Gamma rays various chromosomal aberrations. The chromosome of a treated and control plants under mitotic stages were observed. The common chromosomal aberrations are precocious movement, stickiness, bridges, fragments, laggards etc. As increase in the concentration, the frequency of cells showing chromosomal aberrations shows a linear increase up to a certain level Compared to gamma rays.in 40mM EMS produced the highest chromosomal aberrations.

Keywords: Sorghum bicolor, EMS, Gamma rays, Mitotic aberrations, M3 generation.