Methyl methane sulphonate induced desynaptic mutants in Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

Cytological and genetical behaviors of two desynaptic plants induced from Capsicum annuum L. var. G4 by methyl methane sulphonate treatment have been studied. In these two plants, desynapsis was assumed due to homozygous induction. Analysis of chromosomal behavior at different stages of meiosis has been thoroughly accomplished in the desynaptic plant. At diakinesis in one plant univalents and bivalents were present while in other multivalents along with univalents and bivalents were also noticed. Bivalents were randomly distributed in one plant while non-random in the other. Abnormalities like univalents, irregular distribution of chromosomes, laggards and micronuclei were also observed at metaphase, anaphase and telophase respectively. Meiotic studies revealed that sterility was due to irregular chromosome pairing but the genetic data indicated that sterility was because of single recessive gene in homozygous condition. The desynaptics obtained during the present investigation fit into the medium strong type.