Induced Karyomorphological Variations in Three Phenodeviants of Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

EMS was used as a mutagen in Capsicum annuum L. to isolate karyomorphological mutants. Seeds of Capsicum annuum L. var Azad were first pre-soaked in distilled water and then treated with 0.5% solution of EMS for 3 durations, i.e. 3, 5, and 7 h, and genetic segregation was closely observed. Many chromosomal anomalies like stickiness, bridges, and multivalent, secondary associations, laggards, and precocious movement were observed after all 3 durations of treatment. These anomalies showed a dose-dependent increase in frequency. The morphological parameters showed a decreasing trend along with the increasing dose. However, with the 7-h dose 3 morphologically distinct plants were isolated, which varied not only from other sib plants but also from control plants. Their cytological analysis revealed a predominance of bridges and increased frequency of bridges in all 3 plants. Therefore, it can be presumed that these 2 factors together may be responsible for creating deviations in these 3 plants.