Analysis of gamma radiation-induced chromosome variations in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Chromosome variation is an important tool in genetic analysis. The objective of this study is to standardise an induction strategy of chromosome variations in maize inbreed line L-869. Irradiated pollen has been used in fertilizations. Resulting seeds have been germinated for quantifying the number of abnormal anaphase-telophase stages from root tips. Cells with a delayed separation of chromosomes, with simple, double and three bridges, and with chromosome fragments have been observed. The number of abnormalities increased as the dosage increased but chromosome variation type had been the same regardless of the dosages used. The involvement of heterochromatin in bridges occurrence has also been discussed.