1. The present investigation was carried out with a view to observe the effects of certain chemicals on endosperm nuclei of
Cestrum diurnum Linn.
2. Saturated, half saturated and quarter saturated solutions of Resorcinol, Pyrogallol, Phloroglucinol and 8-Hydroxyquinoline in distilled water were injected below the main stalk of the flower clusters and period of treatment was varied with varying concentrations. The period of treatment varied from one hour to twenty-four hours.
3. The general effect was the production of stickiness, fragmentation of chromosomes, resulting in the lethality of the twig.
4. Of all the chemicals tested, 8-Hydroxyquinoline had less toxic effect, while Pyrogallol and Resorcinol had high toxic value.
5. Polyploidy noted in certain cases after Pyrogallol treatment showed the presence of narcotic effect. Subnarcotic and lethal effect too in endosperm nuclei were recorded.
6. With Phloroglucinol, lethality was the final result of treatment though death of the twig did not result instantaneously. It was brought about gradually after prolonged period. With low concentration and short period of treatment, more time was taken by the twig to reach lethality and with the prolonged treatment, the toxicity caused was comparatively rapid.
7. In general, fragmentation of the chromosomes was not observed in any concentration following one hour treatment, while with prolonged period of treatment of three hours, five hours and twenty-four hours, increasing amount of fragments was observed. This may indicate that a definite amount of fluid level within the cell is required to cause fragmentation of chromosomes.
8. The effect of chemicals tested here on endosperm nuclei differed from effects of these chemicals tested on roots by other workers, indicating thereby that differential cytoplasmic constitution of the different organs may account for their behaviour.
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