Gamma Ray Induced Meiotic Abnormalities in<i>Capsicum Annuum</i>L.

Abstract

SUMMARYDry dormant seeds of CA 960 (red) and CA 1968 (yellow) strains of Capsicum annuum were irradiated with gamma rays at 10, 20, 30 and 40 kR dose levels. The plants grown from treated and control seeds were investigated for meiotic anomalies and pollen sterility. The meiotic abnormalities included stickiness of chromosomes, clumping, formation of multivalents and univalents, breakage, non-orientation of chromosomes on metaphase plate, unequal grouping of chromosomes, laggards and abnormal microspores. The frequency of occurrence of these abnormalities is proportional to the dosage of the r-rays. Pollen sterility seems to be the cumulative result of various aberrant meiotic stages as well as physiological and genetic damages induced probably by the breakage of chromosomes through the formation of antimetabolic agents in the cells. The differences observed in the frequency of meiotic abnormalities in the two strains can be traced to differences in the radiosensitivity of the two strains.