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EFFECTS OF n-BUTYL METHANESULPHONATE AND RELATED MUTAGENS ON BARLEY

Journal Article · · Nature
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/200714a0· OSTI ID:4133088

The mutagenic effects of n-butyl methanesulfonate (nBMS), isobutyl methanesulfonate (isoBMS), n-propyl methanesulfonate (nPMS), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), isopropyl methanesulfonate (isoPMS), and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) on barley are reported. The results showed that all the sulfonates except isoBMS induced chlorophylldeficient mutations. In all cases, the mutations were induced by treatments that produced low rates of damage to seedling growth and plant survival and to chromosome structure. It is expected that a treatment adjusted to the slow reactivity of isoBMS will also induce and increase mutation rate. Data obtained from barley seeds (14% moisture content) exposed to 30 kr of x rays at room temperature show that the induction of mutation in 8% of the spikes is associated with chromosome aberrations of 53 bridges and 309 fragments per 100 cells. This level of injury to chromosome structure, as well as to seedling growth and plant survival in relation to the amount of induced mutation, demonstrates the lower mutagenic efficiency of radiation compared with that of most chemical mutagens investigated. (P.C.H.)

Research Organization:
Washington State Univ., Pullman
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-18-003543
OSTI ID:
4133088
Journal Information:
Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 200
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English