COMPARISON OF THE MUTAGENIC EFFECT OF IONIZING RADIATION AND CHEMICAL AGENTS IN TRITICUM DURUM Desf

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Atti Associazone Genetica Italiana (Italy)

OSTI ID:4713116

Mugnozza, G T.S.; Bozzini, A; D'Amato, F; Monti, L

The comparative effects of x rays, thermal neutrons, fast neutrons, diethyl sulfate, and ethyl methane sulphonate were studied, using dry seeds of the cultivated varieties Aziziah, Cappelli, and Russello of durum wheat. Aziziah was found as the most radiation sensitive variety; no statistically significant difference in radiation sensitiviiy between Cappelli and Russello was ascertained. Excluding the results of two chemical treatments, the three varieties studied did not differ from each other as to frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations in the second generation (M/sub 2/). At comparable survival rates, mutation and mutant frequencies in M/sub 2/ were two to several times higher after neutron irradiation than after x rays. In the radiation series, maximum rates of chlorophyll mutations were found in treatments producing a 50 to 80% reduction in the mean number of M/sub 2/ seedlings per spike; in the most efficient chemical treatments, the reduction in seedling number per spikes was comprised between 33 and 42%. Chemically induced spectra of chlorophyll mutations were quite distinct from those resulting from irradiation; they were characterized by a reduced frequency of albina and a greater frequency of xantha and viridis. If the distribution of albina, xantha, chlorina, and tigrina was considered in relation to seedling number per spike, they showed a clear accumulation in lower spike fertility classes in the radiation series. In the chemical mutagen series, albina, xantha, - and chlorina occurred frequently in spike classes with good fertility, while tigrina typically accumulated in spikes with clearly reduced fertility. Evidence was found that, in chemically treated materials, the mean size of mutated sectors in M/sub 1/ spikes is much smaller than following irradiation. It was estimated that, in several M/sub 1/ spikes from chemical treatments, four or possibly more initial cells were to be made responsible for the organization of a spike. (auth)

• Research Organization: C.N.E.N., Rome; Universita, Pisa, Italy
• NSA Number: NSA-17-028713
• OSTI ID: 4713116
• Journal Information: Atti Associazone Genetica Italiana (Italy), Journal Name: Atti Associazone Genetica Italiana (Italy) Vol. Vol: 8; ISSN AAGNA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: Italian

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CEREALS
CHLOROPHYLL
ETHYL RADICALS
FAST NEUTRONS
METHANE
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PLANT CELLS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
REPRODUCTION
SEEDS
SULFATES
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TOXICITY
TRITICUM
VARIATIONS
WHEAT
X RADIATION