Gamma Irradiation Induced Reciprocal Translocation in Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

Seeds of Pisum sativum L. were treated with different doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kR) of gamma rays. Three translocation heterozygotes were observed at meiotic division in a population raised from 20, 25 and 30kR treated seeds. The induced translocations showed a ring or chain of 4 chromosomes and 5 bivalents in most of the cells at diakinesis/metaphase I. The orientation of ring and chain quadrivalents predominantly showed the alternate type of orientation. The induced mutants showed delayed flowering, low flower number, low pod number as compared to control plants. The highest doses of gamma rays such as 35kR and 40kR caused death of all seedlings and no seed germination was observed.