The effect of fast neutron radiation on meiosis in pollen mother cells of Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum

Abstract

In order to assess the effect of fast neutron irradiation (FNI) on pmc meiosis of Capsicum anuum var abbreviatum, dry seeds of the variety were exposed to fast neutron irradiation (FNI) from an Americium Beryllium source with a flux of 1.5 × 104 n.cm-2 s-1. Five irradiation treatments, 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. have been tried. The treated seeds were sown with their respective controls and the effects on the meiosis of the plants were studied. The results obtained showed that all irradiation treatments caused meiotic abnormalities, such as chromosome clumping, presence of univalents, multivalents, triads and micronuclei compared to the control plants. There was an increase in aberrant cells with increase in the duration of fast neutron irradiation (FNI); 120 minutes FNI treatment was found most potent in inducing cytological aberrations in pollen mother cells of treated pepper plants.