Morphological and Cytological Studies on a Radiation Induced Polyploid in Capsicum annuum Linn

Abstract

The present investigation deals with morphological and cytological studies of a radiation induced tetraploid Capsicum annuum. The tetraploid was characterized by stunted growth, presence of thick, large leaves with larger stomata and increase in size and number of floral organs.
Occurrence of varying numbers of quadrivalents, trivalents and univalents was observed in addition to bivalents. Lagging chromosomes seen at anaphase in varying numbers resulted in the formation of micronuclei in the tetrads. About 72% of the pollen produced were aborted.
The polyploid was completely sterile with extremely poor fruit setting. The fruits were devoid of seeds.