生物学と医学

概要

Methyl methanesulphonate induced chromosomal variations in a medicinal plant Cichorium intybus L. during microsporogenesis

Z Khan, H Gupta, MYK Ansari, S Chaudhary

Genotoxic effect of MMS on gametic cells of chicory has been investigated in the present study. Progenies were raised from seeds treated with four different concentrations that is 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10 % aqueous solutions of MMS. Anther-smear studies revealed a wide range of chromosomal anomalies such as stickiness, univalents, multivalents and precocious separation of chromosomes at metaphase; bridges, laggards and polyads at anaphase and telophase stages. Such abnormalities were dose dependent and increased along with the increasing concentrations of mutagen; therefore MMS can be used as a potential mutagen in induction of genetic variability in this plant.