Cytological Characterization of Induced Multiple Translocation Heterozygote in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

Gamma irradiations were successfully used to develop the multiple chromosomal interchanges in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). A plant showing two interchange complexes was isolated from the M1 population raised from 30 kR irradiated seed progeny. The translocation heterozygote showed ring and chain of one hexavalent as well as one quadrivalent along with two bivalents at diakinesis in majority of pollen mother cells. Some pollen mother cells exhibited pentavalents, trivalents and univalents in varying frequencies. The hexavalent predominantly showed alternate type of segregation when compared with the quadrivalent which exhibited adjacent type of orientation in most of the PMCs. At anaphase-I, the translocation heterozygote displayed various abnormalities such as unequal chromosome distribution, laggards and bridges. Pollen fertility was found to be very low (28.79%).