Cytogenetical and Morphological Variations in EMS treated Glycine max Linn.

Abstract

Abstract

Cytogenetical and morphological investigations have been carried out in EMS treated seeds of high protein containing important crop plant, Glycine max Linn., a member of papilionaceae family. The healthy and uniform seeds were treated with 0.02, 0.06 and 0.1 %   of potent chemical mutagen, Ethyl Methane Sulphonate for 4 hrs. and 6 hrs. treatment durations. The dose dependent fluctuations in mitotic index, the Chromosomal aberrations, and variations in biochemical content were observed in EMS treated sample system. The EMS treatment with 0.1 % concentration for 6 hrs. treatment duration was noticed as  potentially adverse as it induces high level of chromosomal abnormalities ( 9.96 %) in comparison to all other studied treatments. The aberration types like stickiness and single and multiple bridges were of common occurrence. Other chromosomal aberrations were precocious movement, chromosomal laggards and unequal distribution of chromosomes. The mitotic index was reduced to half, (6.77%), in 0.1 % EMS with 6 hrs. treatment duration when compared to control (12.42 %). The results on protein estimation (Lowry et.al.1951) were interesting since high EMS concentration at higher treatment duration indicated slight increase in the protein content (4.12 mg/100 gms.) over control estimate (3.8 mg/100 gms.). The morphovariants with respect to change in leaf margin (0.02 % EMS, 6 hrs.), early flowering (0.1 % EMS, 4 hrs.), chlorophylls chimeras (0.1 % EMS, 6 hrs.) and variation in protein content have been observed in the treated plants.