Comparative Effect of Ageing and Gamma Irradiation on the Somatic Cells of Lathyrus Sativus L

Gamma irradiation is one of the most important physical mutagen used for inducing beneficial as well as harmful cytogenetic effects in many crop plants. The cytogenetic changes occurring due to the storage of Lathyrus sativus L. seeds after gamma irradiation were examined during the present study. Mitotic index showed a dose dependant decrease while the dose and duration of treatments increased. The effect of ageing accompanied with gamma irradiation was found to be more deleterious as compared to that of individual treatments of the two. Various chromosomal abnormalities viz. fragmentation, scattering, bridges, laggards, stickiness, etc. were found at all the three treatment sets. A significant reduction in moisture content, germination percentage and increase in the percentage of chromosomal anomalies was recorded maximum in the stored gamma irradiated seeds which ultimately ensures the fact that immediate sowing of the irradiated seeds is of prime importance and it may adversely affect the survivability of the seeds as well as plant when sowing is delayed.