Effects of seed storage and pre-soaking dry treatment on chromosome aberrations in mitosis of Allium fistulosum L.

Abstract

Effects of seed storage and exposure of pre-soaked seeds to dry treasment (50°C) on chromosome aberrations were examined. Stored seeds of Allium fistulosum L. cv. Kujohosonegi and Ishikura-ippon-futonegi which was obtained from Mikado Seed Co., Ltd. were used in the present investigation. Chromosome aberrations at mitotic meta- and anaphase were examined in the primary root tips of germinated seeds. High frequency of spontaneous chromosome aberrations (mean 51%) was observed in the stored seeds, whose cytological characteristics were remarkable fragmentations of the chromosome-type. From this result, the most aberrations were thought to be induced before DNA synthesis stage. The present study showed a positive correlation between the frequency of spontaneous chromosome aberrations and the number of days to germination, and a negative correlation between the former and the length of the primary seedling root.